Genetic and pharmacological antagonism of NK1 receptor prevents opiate abuse potential

Autor: Aubin Moutal, Todd W. Vanderah, Rajesh Khanna, Tally M. Largent-Milnes, Alexander J. Sandweiss, R Davidson-Knapp, Victor J. Hruby, Jackie Hu, Mary I. McIntosh, Aswini Kumar Giri, Takashi Yamamoto
Rok vydání: 2017
Předmět:
Zdroj: Molecular Psychiatry. 23:1745-1755
ISSN: 1476-5578
1359-4184
DOI: 10.1038/mp.2017.102
Popis: Development of an efficacious, non-addicting analgesic has been challenging. Discovery of novel mechanisms underlying addiction may present a solution. Here we target the neurokinin system, which is involved in both pain and addiction. Morphine exerts its rewarding actions, at least in part, by inhibiting GABAergic input onto substance P (SP) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), subsequently increasing SP release onto dopaminergic neurons. Genome editing of the neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) in the VTA renders morphine non-rewarding. Complementing our genetic approach, we demonstrate utility of a bivalent pharmacophore with dual activity as a μ/δ opioid agonist and NK1R antagonist in inhibiting nociception in an animal model of acute pain while lacking any positive reinforcement. These data indicate that dual targeting of the dopaminergic reward circuitry and pain pathways with a multifunctional opioid agonist-NK1R antagonist may be an efficacious strategy in developing future analgesics that lack abuse potential.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
Externí odkaz: