Neurons inhibitory

Spiny projection neurons receive inputs from the cortex, thalamus and amygdala, which make asymmetric synapses on dendritic spines, and to a lesser degree, dendritic shafts. These inputs provide the major excitatory input to these neurons. In addition, a number of inputs from outside the striatum, and from within the striatum provide inputs that function to modify the responsiveness of spiny neurons to the excitatory input. These include inputs from dopamine afferents from the substantia nigra, inhibitory GABA inputs from the axon collaterals of other spiny neurons, inhibitory inputs from GABA (and peptide containing) striatal interneurons, and inputs from cholinergic striatal interneurons. 

A common strategy for treating chronic opiate addiction iavolves the substitution of methadone which can either be provided as maintenance therapy or tapered until abstinence is achieved. Naltrexone and buprenorphine [52485-79-7] have also been used ia this manner. The a2 adrenergic agonist clonidine [4205-90-7] provides some rehef from the symptoms of opiate withdrawal, probably the result of its mimicking the inhibitory effect of opiates on the activity of locus coerukus neurons. 

Vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone [ADH]) secretion increases in response to decreased blood volume and/or reductions in effective blood volume via a decrease in inhibitory tone from both low-pressure and high-pressure baroreceptors to the hypothalamus. The neuronal pathways that mediate hemodynamic regulation of... 

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