Chemical Interactions with Pyramidal Neurons in Layer 5 of the Cerebral Cortex: Control of Pain and Anxiety
Current Medicinal Chemistry August 20, 2009 John S. Adams 7 citations
Pyramidal neurons in layer 5 of the cerebral cortex, crucial for learning and memory, have dendrites that can switch between long-term depression and potentiation based on summed inputs from many interneurons and distant neurons. Serotonin is a key neurotransmitter involved with these neurons and has been linked to psychosis, psychedelic states, and sacred dreams. This review discusses chemicals and receptors important for pyramidal neurons, including opioids, nicotine, scopolamine, psilocybin, LSD, mescaline, ergot alkaloids, salvinorin A, and ergine, which interact with opioid, nicotinic, muscarinic, and serotonergic receptors. It proposes that each receptor has a natural agonist and antagonist, often peptides, and suggests possible peptide structures for these, offering new avenues for exploring pyramidal neuron functions in health and pain management.