Inhibitory effects of dopamine on spinal synaptic transmission via dopamine D1-like receptors in neonatal rats.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Dopamine released from the endings of descending dopaminergic nerve fibres in the spinal cord may be involved in modulating functions such as locomotion and nociception. Here, we examined the effects of dopamine on spinal synaptic transmissions in rats.

Experimental approach

Spinal reflex potentials, monosynaptic reflex potential (MSR) and slow ventral root potential (sVRP), were measured in the isolated spinal cord of the neonatal rat. Dopamine release was measured by HPLC.

Key results

Dopamine at lower concentrations (<1 µM) depressed sVRP, which is a C fibre-evoked polysynaptic response and believed to reflect nociceptive transmission. At higher concentrations (>1 µM), in addition to a potent sVRP depression, dopamine depolarized baseline pot

SUBMITTER: Kawamoto K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3417505 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature