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Opiate tolerance and dependence: recent findings and synthesis
1Mental Health Research Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-0720.
The New Biologist
|October 1, 1991
Summary
Understanding opiate tolerance and dependence involves behavioral, cellular, and molecular factors. Research highlights the roles of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and G protein signaling in these complex phenomena.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Opiate tolerance and physical dependence are complex phenomena.
- Previous research has explored various contributing factors with limited consensus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize recent findings on the behavioral, cellular, and molecular mechanisms of opiate tolerance and dependence.
- To present a unified view of how these mechanisms interact.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent behavioral, cellular, and molecular studies on opiate tolerance and dependence.
- Integration of findings regarding N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, endogenous opioid peptides, and G protein signaling.
Main Results:
- Behavioral studies indicate roles for direct drug effects, environmental cue learning, and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors.
- Cellular studies suggest involvement of beta-endorphin, enkephalin, and dynorphin neurons.
- Molecular studies point to functional decoupling of opioid receptors from G proteins.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive understanding requires integrating behavioral, cellular, and molecular data.
- Opiate tolerance and dependence likely result from a combination of these identified mechanisms.