Opiates and opioid peptides hyperpolarize locus coeruleus neurons in vitro.
Intracellular recordings were made from locus coeruleus neurons in a brain slice preparation. Opiates and opioid peptides produced a dose-dependent, stereospecific, naloxone-reversible hyperpolarization of the neuronal membrane. This was associated with an increase in membrane conductance.
D000818:Animals; D004723:Endorphins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004745:Enkephalins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008125:Locus Coeruleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009022:Morphine Derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D004723:Endorphins; D004745:Enkephalins; D009022:Morphine Derivatives; D009270:Naloxone; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine; C013801:enkephalin-Met, Ala(2)-; C010616:normorphine