Journal
PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
Volume 140, Issue 1, Pages 112-120Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2013.06.003
Keywords
Delta opioid receptor; Knockout; Pharmacology; In vivo; Pathology
Categories
Funding
- Centre de la Recherche National Scientifique, Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale, Universite de Strasbourg
- Fondation pour la Recherche Medicale [FRM FDT20120925269]
- US National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Drug Addiction) [05010]
- US National Institutes of Health (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) [16658]
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Evidence that the delta opioid receptor (DOR) is an attractive target for the treatment of brain disorders has strengthened in recent years. This receptor is broadly expressed in the brain, binds endogenous opioid peptides, and shows as functional profile highly distinct from those of mu and kappa opioid receptors. Our knowledge of DOR function has enormously progressed from in vivo studies using pharmacological tools and genetic approaches. The important role of this receptor in reducing chronic pain has been extensively overviewed; therefore this review focuses on facets of delta receptor activity relevant to psychiatric and other neurological disorders. Beneficial effects of DOR agonists are now well established in the context of emotional responses and mood disorders. DOR activation also regulates drug reward, inhibitory controls and learning processes, but whether delta compounds may represent useful drugs in the treatment of drug abuse remains open. Epileptogenic and locomotor-stimulating effects of delta agonists appear drug-dependent, and the possibility of biased agonism at DOR for these effects is worthwhile further investigations to increase benefit/risk ratio of delta therapies. Neuroprotective effects of DOR activity represent a forthcoming research area. Future developments in DOR research will benefit from in-depth investigations of DOR function at cellular and circuit levels. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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