An emerging role for synaptic Zn2+ in substance use disorders

Synaptic zinc (Zn<sup>2+</sup>) modulates dopamine and glutamate neurotransmission by binding to the dopamine transporter and glutamate receptors. Among other neurotransmitters, dopamine and glutamate critically regulate physiological processes and behaviors relevant to substance use dis...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Solis, Oscar, Curry, Fallon P., Frangos, Zachary J., Dunne, William, Schoenborn, Ingrid, Lauer, Alyssa, Gomez, Juan L., Ventriglia, Emilya, Bonaventura, Jordi, Michaelides, Michael
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2026
País:España
Institución:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repositorio:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:dnet:recercat____::f3298137c30d5531fa59cfc815b3e372
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/229332
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Opiacis
Receptors de neurotransmissors
Dopamina
Zinc en l'organisme
Opioids
Neurotransmitter receptors
Dopamine
Zinc in the body
Descripción
Sumario:Synaptic zinc (Zn<sup>2+</sup>) modulates dopamine and glutamate neurotransmission by binding to the dopamine transporter and glutamate receptors. Among other neurotransmitters, dopamine and glutamate critically regulate physiological processes and behaviors relevant to substance use disorders (SUDs) and addiction. In addition, Zn<sup>2+</sup> interacts with inhibitory neurotransmitter systems, including GABA and glycine receptors, further influencing the excitatory-inhibitory balance within circuits relevant to addiction. Nevertheless, the specific involvement of synaptic Zn<sup>2+</sup> in such processes is unknown. We propose that synaptic Zn<sup>2+</sup> serves as an environmentally derived factor that can influence the vulnerability to and development of SUDs and addiction via its interaction with proteins that regulate dopamine and glutamate neurotransmission in addiction-relevant brain circuits.