School of Medical Sciences: Recent submissions
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A Continuous, Fluorescence-based Assay of µ-Opioid Receptor Activation in AtT-20 Cells
Published 2013-03-01Opioids are widely prescribed analgesics, but their use is limited due to development of tolerance and addiction, as well as high variability in individual response. The development of improved opioid analgesics requires ...Open AccessArticle -
Nucleus accumbens D2- and D1-receptor expressing medium spiny neurons are selectively activated by morphine withdrawal and acute morphine, respectively.
Published 2012-06-01Opioids are effective analgesic agents but serious adverse effects such as tolerance and withdrawal contribute to opioid dependence and limit their use. Opioid withdrawal involves numerous brain regions and includes ...Open AccessArticle -
Glutamate transporter dysfunction associated with nerve injury-induced pain in mice
Published 2012-01-01Dysfunction at glutamatergic synapses has been proposed as a mechanism in the development of neuropathic pain. Here we sought to determine whether peripheral nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain results in functional ...Open AccessArticle -
A novel mechanism of inhibition of high-voltage activated calcium channels by a-conotoxins contributes to relief of nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain
Published 2015-03-01α-Conotoxins that are thought to act as antagonists of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) containing α3-subunits are efficacious in several preclinical models of chronic pain. Potent interactions of Vc1.1 with other ...Open AccessArticle -
Mechanisms of rapid opioid receptor desensitization, resensitization and tolerance in brain neurons
Published 2012-03-01Agonists acting on µ-opioid receptors (MOR) are very effective analgesics but cause tolerance during long-term or repeated exposure. Intensive efforts have been made to find novel opioid agonists that are efficacious ...Open AccessArticle