Excitatory neuromodulator reduces dopamine release, enhancing prolactin secretion.
Hypothalamic dopamine neurons inhibit pituitary prolactin secretion. In this issue of Neuron, Lyons et al. provide evidence for a novel model, whereby the excitatory neuropeptide TRH depolarizes gap-junction-coupled dopamine neurons, leading to a shift in the population pattern of action potentials from phasic burst firing to regular tonic firing, hypothetically reducing dopamine release while increasing total spike number.
van den Pol
Anthony N
AN
Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA. anthony.vandenpol@yale.edu
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000502:physiology; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000502:physiology*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000502:physiology
D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D009479:Neuropeptides; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; D011388:Prolactin