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

Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 1998 Sep;20(7):595-9. doi: 10.1358/mf.1998.20.7.485724.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • 3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl)-benzeneacetamide, (trans)-Isomer / pharmacology
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / pharmacology
  • Analgesics, Opioid / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Dynorphins / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Learning / drug effects*
  • Memory Disorders / chemically induced*
  • Models, Psychological
  • Peptide Fragments / pharmacology
  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa / agonists*

Substances

  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa
  • 3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl)-benzeneacetamide, (trans)-Isomer
  • dynorphin (1-13)
  • Dynorphins