Abstract
The mossy fibre pathway in the hippocampus uses glutamate as a neurotransmitter, but also contains the opioid peptide dynorphin. Synaptic release of dynorphin causes a presynaptic inhibition of neighbouring mossy fibres and inhibits the induction and expression of mossy fibre long-term potentiation. These findings demonstrate a physiological role for a neuropeptide in the central nervous system, provide a functional basis for the coexistence of a neuropeptide with classic neurotransmitters and demonstrate the very different roles played by these two classes of signalling molecules.
Publication types
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione
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Animals
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Electric Stimulation
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Evoked Potentials / drug effects
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Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists
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Guinea Pigs
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Hippocampus / drug effects
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Hippocampus / physiology*
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In Vitro Techniques
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Naloxone / pharmacology
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Nerve Fibers / drug effects
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Nerve Fibers / physiology
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Pyramidal Tracts / drug effects
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Pyramidal Tracts / physiology*
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Quinoxalines / pharmacology
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Receptors, Opioid, kappa / drug effects
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Receptors, Opioid, kappa / physiology
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Synapses / drug effects
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Synapses / physiology*
Substances
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Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists
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Quinoxalines
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Receptors, Opioid, kappa
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Naloxone
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6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione