Biomaterial Database

The antidepressant -like effects of delta-opioid receptor agonists. 2006

Emily M Jutkiewicz

Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, 1301 Medical Science Research Building III, 1150 W Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0632, USA. ejutkiew@umich.edu

Activation of the delta-opioid receptor (DOR) system produces an interesting behavioral profile distinct from that of other opioids. Unlike mu- and kappa-opioid agonists, delta-opioid agonists alone have limited pain-relieving qualities as measured in morphine-sensitive antinociceptive assays. Recent evidence, however, suggests that the DOR system may play a role in regulating mood and emotional states. For example, DOR activation stimulates robust antidepressant-like effects in preclinical assays, suggesting that these compounds may have therapeutic potential for treating human depression. This review discusses the role of the DORs in depression and the antidepressant-like effects of delta-opioid agonists as well as their limitations.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D003292	Convulsants	Substances that act in the brain stem or spinal cord to produce tonic or clonic convulsions, often by removing normal inhibitory tone. They were formerly used to stimulate respiration or as antidotes to barbiturate overdose. They are now most commonly used as experimental tools.	Convulsant,Convulsant Effect,Convulsant Effects,Effect, Convulsant,Effects, Convulsant
D003863	Depression	Depressive states usually of moderate intensity in contrast with MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER present in neurotic and psychotic disorders.	Depressive Symptoms,Emotional Depression,Depression, Emotional,Depressive Symptom,Symptom, Depressive
D004305	Dose-Response Relationship, Drug	The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug.	Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000928	Antidepressive Agents	Mood-stimulating drugs used primarily in the treatment of affective disorders and related conditions. Several MONOAMINE OXIDASE INHIBITORS are useful as antidepressants apparently as a long-term consequence of their modulation of catecholamine levels. The tricyclic compounds useful as antidepressive agents (ANTIDEPRESSIVE AGENTS, TRICYCLIC) also appear to act through brain catecholamine systems. A third group (ANTIDEPRESSIVE AGENTS, SECOND-GENERATION) is a diverse group of drugs including some that act specifically on serotonergic systems.	Antidepressant,Antidepressant Drug,Antidepressant Medication,Antidepressants,Antidepressive Agent,Thymoanaleptic,Thymoanaleptics,Thymoleptic,Thymoleptics,Antidepressant Drugs,Agent, Antidepressive,Drug, Antidepressant,Medication, Antidepressant
D001522	Behavior, Animal	The observable response an animal makes to any situation.	Autotomy Animal,Animal Behavior,Animal Behaviors
D017465	Receptors, Opioid, delta	A class of opioid receptors recognized by its pharmacological profile. Delta opioid receptors bind endorphins and enkephalins with approximately equal affinity and have less affinity for dynorphins.	Opioid Receptors, delta,Receptors, delta,Receptors, delta Opioid,delta Receptors,delta Opioid Receptor,delta Receptor,Opioid Receptor, delta,Receptor, delta,Receptor, delta Opioid,delta Opioid Receptors