Abstract
The effects of the stereoisomers dextrorphan and levorphanol on the excitation of spinal neurons by electrophoretically administered excitatory amino acids were studied in pentobarbitone-anaesthetised rats. Both isomers reduced responses to N-methyl-DL-aspartate (NMA), dextrorphan being both more selective and more potent than levorphanol in this respect. This observation supports the proposal that the NMA-blocking activity of a variety of drugs with psychotomimetic properties is subserved by actions at phencyclidine (PCP)/sigma opiate receptors.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Acetylcholine / pharmacology
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Amino Acids / pharmacology*
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Animals
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Aspartic Acid / analogs & derivatives
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Aspartic Acid / antagonists & inhibitors
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Dextrorphan / pharmacology*
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Ketamine / pharmacology
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Levorphanol / pharmacology*
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Morphinans / pharmacology*
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N-Methylaspartate
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Neurons / drug effects*
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Phencyclidine / pharmacology
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Rats
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Receptors, Opioid / drug effects
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Receptors, sigma
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Spinal Cord / drug effects*
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Spinal Cord / physiology
Substances
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Amino Acids
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Morphinans
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Receptors, Opioid
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Receptors, sigma
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Dextrorphan
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Levorphanol
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Aspartic Acid
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N-Methylaspartate
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Ketamine
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Phencyclidine
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Acetylcholine