A Novel Role of Dexmedetomidine in the Modulation of Morphine Reward Memory via Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Transporter-1
Dex facilitates the extinction of morphine-associated reward memory by competitively inhibiting GAT1, enhancing VTA GABAergic inhibition, and normalizing NAc D1-MSN activity. These findings reveal a novel GAT1 dependent, α₂-independent mechanism by which Dex modulates opioid reward circuitry, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent for OUD.
Authors
- Hongseng Xu
- Fancan Wu
- F S Wang
- Keyi Deng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2387-6259)
- Jian He (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7906-4132)
- Jiandi Wu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8657-5475)
- Wanyou He
- Jianxun Xia
- Huailong Zhang
- Chengrui Zhuang
- Guanhua Lu
- Wenyan Pan
- Manying Bian
- Hanbing Wang
Institutions
- Central South University (CN)
- Nanfang Hospital (CN)
- First People's Hospital of Foshan (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Anesthesiology
- Published
- 2026-02-24
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1097/aln.0000000000005996
- Primary Topic
- Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00