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Opioid receptors: drivers to addiction?
Emmanuel Darcq1, Brigitte Lina Kieffer2,3
1Douglas Mental Health Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Nature Reviews. Neuroscience
|June 24, 2018
Summary
Opioid receptors are central to drug addiction, a major public health issue. Research explores targeting these receptors to treat pain without causing addiction and understand addiction neurocircuitry.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Drug addiction is a global health crisis stemming from recreational drug use, leading to complex brain disorders.
- The opioid system, a foundational discovery in neuroscience, plays a critical role in addiction.
- Recent advances in G protein-coupled receptor research and neuroscience have renewed focus on opioid receptors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current research on the role of opioid receptors in addiction.
- To address critical questions regarding pain management without addiction via mu-opioid-receptor-targeting drugs.
- To investigate the function of mu- and kappa-opioid receptors in addiction neurocircuitry and bridge human/animal research.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent advancements in opioid receptor research.
- Analysis of neurocircuitry involved in addiction.
- Exploration of translational research between human and animal studies.
Main Results:
- Opioid receptors are key targets for understanding and potentially treating addiction.
- Mu-opioid receptors are central to the analgesic and addictive properties of opiates.
- Kappa-opioid receptors also play a significant role in the neurobiology of addiction.
Conclusions:
- Targeting specific opioid receptors may offer pathways to manage pain without inducing addiction.
- Further research into opioid receptor function within addiction neurocircuitry is crucial.
- Bridging human and animal studies will accelerate progress in combating drug abuse.
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