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  • Roles of kappa-opioid receptor agonists in learning and memory impairment in animal models.

Roles of kappa-opioid receptor agonists in learning and memory impairment in animal models.

Methods and findings in experimental and clinical pharmacology (1998-11-20)
M Hiramatsu, T Kameyama
ABSTRACT

The role of kappa-opioid receptor agonists on learning and memory is controversial. In this review, the effects of dynorphin A (1-13) and U-50,488H on learning and memory impairments in mice and rats are summarized. Muscarinic cholinergic antagonists and a nicotinic cholinergic antagonist significantly impaired learning and memory in various behavioral tests. Administration of dynorphin A (1-13) or U-50,488H reversed the impairment of learning and memory. U-50,488H completely blocked the decrease in acetylcholine release induced by mecamylamine, while it only partially blocked the increase of acetylcholine induced by scopolamine. The antagonistic effect of U-50,488H was abolished by pretreatment with nor-binaltorphimine, a selective kappa-opioid receptor antagonist. Dynorphin A (1-13) and U-50,488H did not affect the impairment of learning and memory induced by the blockade of NMDA-receptors by dizocilpine ((+)-MK-801. These results suggest that kappa-opioid receptor antagonist reverses the impairment of learning and memory induced by the blockade of cholinergic transmission and abolishes the decrease of acetylcholine release via the kappa-opioid receptor-mediated neuronal system.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
Dynorphin A Porcine Fragment 1-13, ≥97% (HPLC)
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