Abstract
Dopamine neurons in the periaqueductal gray (PAG)/dorsal raphe are key modulators of antinociception with known supraspinal targets. However, no study has directly tested whether these neurons contribute to descending pain inhibition. We hypothesized that PAG dopamine neurons contribute to the analgesic effect of D-amphetamine via a mechanism that involves descending modulation via the rostral ventral medulla (RVM). Male C57BL/6 mice showed increased c-FOS expression in PAG dopamine neurons and a significant increase in paw withdrawal latency to thermal stimulation after receiving a systemic injection of D-amphetamine. Targeted microinfusion of D-amphetamine, L-DOPA, or the selective D2 agonist quinpirole into the PAG produced analgesia, while a D1 agonist, chloro APB, had no effect. In addition, inhibition of D2 receptors in the PAG by eticlopride prevented the systemic D-amphetamine analgesic effect. D-amphetamine and PAG D2 receptor-mediated analgesia were inhibited by intra-RVM injection of lidocaine or the GABAA receptor agonist muscimol, indicating a PAG-RVM signaling pathway in this model of analgesia. Finally, both systemic D-amphetamine and local PAG microinjection of quinpirole, inhibited inflammatory hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan. This hyperalgesia was transiently restored by intra-PAG injection of eticlopride, as well as RVM microinjection of muscimol. We conclude that D-amphetamine analgesia is partially mediated by descending inhibition and that D2 receptors in the PAG are responsible for this effect via modulating neurons that project to the RVM. These results further our understanding of the antinociceptive effects of dopamine and elucidate a mechanism by which clinically available dopamine modulators produce analgesia.