Date of Presentation
5-2-2024 12:00 AM
College
Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine
Poster Abstract
The opioid epidemic remains a pressing public health crisis, prompting the search for alternative pharmacotherapies for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). This study explores the potential of the dopamine D3 receptor (D3R) partial agonist, (±)VK4-40, as a novel treatment option. We investigated the impact of intra-nucleus accumbens (NAc) microinfusion of VK4-40 on basal locomotion in mice. Results indicate that VK4-40 did not significantly alter basal locomotion, suggesting that its therapeutic effects may not be mediated through disruptions in generalized motor function. Future research will focus on elucidating the neuropharmacological mechanisms underlying VK4-40's therapeutic actions and exploring its effects on psychostimulant-induced hyperlocomotion. These findings provide valuable insights into potential D3R-targeted pharmacotherapies for managing OUD.
Keywords
Opioid Use Disorder, Dopamine D3 receptors, (±)VK4-40, Nucleus accumbens, Basal locomotion, Pharmacotherapeutic intervention, drug therapy
Disciplines
Cell Biology | Disease Modeling | Medical Neurobiology | Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutics | Medicine and Health Sciences | Neuroscience and Neurobiology | Substance Abuse and Addiction
Document Type
Poster
Included in
Cell Biology Commons, Disease Modeling Commons, Medical Neurobiology Commons, Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutics Commons, Neuroscience and Neurobiology Commons, Substance Abuse and Addiction Commons
Intra-accumbens Microinfusion of the Dopamine D3 Receptor Partial Agonist (±)VK4-40 Does Not Affect Basal Locomotion in Mice
The opioid epidemic remains a pressing public health crisis, prompting the search for alternative pharmacotherapies for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). This study explores the potential of the dopamine D3 receptor (D3R) partial agonist, (±)VK4-40, as a novel treatment option. We investigated the impact of intra-nucleus accumbens (NAc) microinfusion of VK4-40 on basal locomotion in mice. Results indicate that VK4-40 did not significantly alter basal locomotion, suggesting that its therapeutic effects may not be mediated through disruptions in generalized motor function. Future research will focus on elucidating the neuropharmacological mechanisms underlying VK4-40's therapeutic actions and exploring its effects on psychostimulant-induced hyperlocomotion. These findings provide valuable insights into potential D3R-targeted pharmacotherapies for managing OUD.