Topic: dynorphin

Accumulating evidence shows that dopaminergic neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are crucial for rewarding and aversive responses. The activity of these neurons is intricately regulated by various neuropeptides, one of which is the endogenous opioid dynorphin. It is thought that the main source of dynorphin in the VTA arises from nucleus accumbens (NAc) D1-MSNs, and that dynorphin acts primarily on kappa opioid receptors (KORs), serving as negative feedback mechanism to modulate dopamine release. Thus, dynorphin signals may regulate dopamine dynamics and, in this way, contribute for r