Presynaptic Mechanism for Anti-Analgesic and Anti-Hyperalgesic Actions of κ-Opioid Receptors.

Presents a study that investigated the functional role of glutamate synaptic transmission and κ-opioid receptors in two behavioral pain conditions using whole-cell patch clamp recordings in brain slices in vitro and system analysis of pain behaviors in rats in vivo. Inhibition of glutamate synaptic transmission by κ agonists; Inhibition of glutamate-mediated opioid analgesia by κ agonists; Attenuation of glutamate-mediated hyperalgesia by κ agonists.