title: Unraveling glutamate-opioid receptor interactions using high-resolution electron microscopy: implications for addiction-related processes.
abstract: Adaptive responses in glutamate and opioid receptor systems in limbic circuits are emerging as a critical component of the neural plasticity induced by chronic use of abused substances. The present commentary reviews findings from neuroanatomical studies, with superior spatial resolution, that support a cellular basis for prominent interactions of glutamate and opioid receptor systems in preclinical models of drug addiction. The review begins by highlighting the advantages of high-resolution electron microscopic immunohistochemistry for unraveling receptor interactions at the synapse. With an emphasis on a recent publication describing the anatomical relationship between the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) and the AMPA-GluR2 subunit (Beckerman, M. A., and Glass, M. J., 2011. Ultrastructural relationship between the AMPA-GluR2 receptor subunit and the mu-opioid receptor in the mouse central nucleus of the amygdala. Exp Neurol), we review the anatomical evidence for opioid-induced neural plasticity of glutamate receptors in selected brain circuits that are key integrative substrates in the brain's motivational system. The findings stress the importance of glutamate-opioid interactions as important neural mediators of adaptations to chronic use of abused drugs, particularly within the amygdaloid complex.
authors: Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
authors: Jillian L
authors: JL
authors: Scavone
authors: Esther
authors: E
authors: Asan
authors: Elisabeth J
authors: EJ
authors: Van Bockstaele
mesh_terms: D000679:Amygdala / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D000818:Animals; D051379:Mice; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D018091:Receptors, AMPA / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D018091:Receptors, AMPA; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu; C104722:glutamate receptor ionotropic, AMPA 2