Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 11, 2026
07:16
Methods for the Discovery of Novel Compounds Modulating a Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Receptor Type A Neurotransmission
Published on: August 16, 2018
14.3K
Expectancy Modulation of Opioid Neurotransmission
Marta Pecina1, Jon-Kar Zubieta2
1University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
International Review of Neurobiology
|April 24, 2018
Summary
Expectancies influence cognitive and emotional experiences by activating opioid neurotransmission, as seen in placebo effects. Understanding these mechanisms aids in developing new treatments and enhancing patient responses.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Expectancies significantly modulate cognitive, emotional, and neurobiological processes.
- Placebo effects exemplify how expectancies trigger opioid neurotransmission, leading to symptom relief.
- Molecular neuroimaging, particularly PET with [11C]carfentanil, is crucial for studying placebo mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the neurobiological underpinnings of placebo effects.
- To explore the role of endogenous opioid systems in treatment response.
- To investigate inter-individual differences in placebo responsiveness.
Main Methods:
- Utilized positron emission tomography (PET) with the μ-opioid receptor tracer [11C]carfentanil.
- Investigated neural and neurotransmitter networks associated with placebo effects.
- Examined genetic and learning-based factors influencing placebo responsiveness.
Main Results:
- Identified specific neural and neurotransmitter networks involved in placebo effects.
- Demonstrated that activating endogenous opioid networks via placebos is linked to resiliency.
- Highlighted the role of cognitive-emotional integration and learning in placebo response.
Conclusions:
- Placebo effects are mediated by endogenous opioid systems, influenced by genetics and learning.
- Understanding these mechanisms offers new avenues for drug development and treatment enhancement.
- Further research across diseases is vital for targeting neural systems to improve outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Expected Value
7.8K
The expected value is known as the "long-term" average or mean. This means that over the long term of experimenting over and over, you would expect this average. The expected average is represented by the symbol μ. It is calculated as follows:
7.8K
01:15Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
1.1K
Synthetic and semisynthetic opioids are pivotal in pain management and tackling opioid addiction. Semisynthetic opioids, including morphinans (morphine derivatives), oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone, have improved pharmacokinetic profiles compared to morphine. Additionally, heroin and 6-MAM (6-Monoacetylmorphine) show better CNS penetration than morphine due to heightened lipid solubility. Hydromorphone, a potent opioid, undergoes hepatic metabolism to form the active...
1.1K
01:27Adrenergic Neurons: Neurotransmission
5.4K
Postganglionic sympathetic fibers (except those supplying the sweat glands) releasing noradrenaline or norepinephrine are called noradrenergic or adrenergic neurons. Noradrenaline, dopamine, adrenaline, or epinephrine are collectively called "catecholamines" as they contain a catechol moiety and an amine side chain. The five stages of neurotransmitter release involve their synthesis, storage, release, reuptake and metabolism.
Synthesis: Catecholamine synthesis requires tyrosine, which...
Synthesis: Catecholamine synthesis requires tyrosine, which...
5.4K
01:22Opioid Receptors: Overview
4.6K
Opioid receptors, including the mu (μ, MOR), delta (δ, DOR), and kappa (κ, KOR) types, belong to the rhodopsin family of G protein-coupled receptors. These receptors are located throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems and in non-neuronal tissues such as macrophages and astrocytes. Opioid receptor ligands can be categorized into agonists or antagonists. Highly selective agonists include [d-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly(ol)5]-enkephalin or DAMGO for MOR, [D-Pen2,...
4.6K
01:23Cholinergic Neurons: Neurotransmission
5.5K
Cholinergic neurotransmission involves the synthesis and the release of acetylcholine (ACh) in order to transmit nerve impulses across the synapse. The process begins with the synthesis of acetyl CoA, a precursor for ACh, from ATP, acetate, and coenzyme A in the mitochondria. Choline, another vital precursor, is transported inside the neuron through choline transporters, including high-affinity choline transporter CHT1, low-affinity choline transporter CTL1, and lower-affinity choline...
5.5K
01:08Determination of Expected Frequency
2.6K
Suppose one wants to test independence between the two variables of a contingency table. The values in the table constitute the observed frequencies of the dataset. But how does one determine the expected frequency of the dataset? One of the important assumptions is that the two variables are independent, which means the variables do not influence each other. For independent variables, the statistical probability of any event involving both variables is calculated by multiplying the individual...
2.6K