MODULATION OF NMDA RECEPTOR CURRENTS VIA OREXIN RECEPTOR AND/OR CRF RECEPTOR

摘要

This invention pertains to the discoveries that orexin and/or CRF increase NMDAR (N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor)-mediated currents at excitatory synapses onto a subset of dopamine cells in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in the mammalian brain. The orexin effect can be blocked by an orexin receptor type 1(OXRl). The CRF effect can be blocked by a CRF receptor 2 (CRF-R2) antagonist or by an inhibitor of the CRF-binding protein (CRF-BP). Methods are provided that exploit these discoveries to modulate NMDAR-mediated currents in vivo and in vitro and to screen for modulators (upregulators or downregulators) of NMDA-mediated currents. In vivo methods include the use of modulators of the orexin and CRF pathways to of mitigate a symptom of substance abuse. The invention also provides methods and compositions for co-administration of modulators that act via the orexin and CRF pathways.