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Neuropeptides and Addiction: An Introduction
1University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.
International Review of Neurobiology
|October 24, 2017
Summary
Neuropeptides modulate brain responses to alcohol and drugs. Alterations in these systems contribute to addiction, highlighting neuropeptide targets for treating substance use and eating disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Neuropeptides are amino acid sequences coexpressed with neurotransmitters in the central nervous system.
- Neuropeptide systems play critical roles in modulating neurobiological responses to alcohol and drugs of abuse.
- Chronic substance use leads to allostatic changes in neuropeptide systems, contributing to addiction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the significant roles of neuropeptides in neurobiological responses to alcohol and drugs of abuse.
- To highlight neuropeptides as attractive therapeutic targets for substance use disorders.
- To emphasize the relevance of neuropeptide research for treating eating disorders.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of neuropeptide research in addiction.
- Analysis of neuropeptide involvement in neurobiological responses to substances.
- Synthesis of data on neuropeptide system alterations in dependence.
Main Results:
- Neuropeptides are extensively involved in the brain's response to alcohol and drugs.
- Allostatic alterations in neuropeptide systems are linked to compulsive substance intake.
- Well-studied neuropeptides represent key targets in current addiction research.
Conclusions:
- Neuropeptides significantly influence neurobiological responses to alcohol and drugs.
- Targeting neuropeptides and their receptors offers promising therapeutic strategies for addiction.
- Neuropeptide research is crucial for developing treatments for substance use and eating disorders.
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