Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 21, 2025

Investigating Drivers of Antireward in Addiction Behavior with Anatomically Specific Single-Cell Gene Expression Methods
Published on: August 4, 2022
Current understanding of the neurobiology of opioid use disorder: An overview
Hestia Moningka1,2, Sarah Lichenstein1, Sarah W Yip1
1Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510.
Purpose Of Review:
This review provides an overview of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying opioid use disorder (OUD) drawing from genetic, functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) research.
Recent Findings:
Preliminary evidence suggests an association between OUD and specific variants of the DRD2, δ-opioid receptor 1 (OPRD1) and μ-opioid receptor 1 (OPRM1) genes. Additionally, MRI research indicates functional and structural alterations in striatal and corticolimbic brain regions and pathways underlying reward, emotion/stress and cognitive control processes among individuals with OUD.
Summary:
Individual differences in genetic and functional and structural brain-based features are correlated with differences in OUD severity and treatment outcomes, and therefore may potentially one day be used to inform OUD treatment selection. However, given the heterogeneous findings reported, further longitudinal research across different stages of opioid addiction is needed to yield a convergent characterization of OUD and improve treatment and prevention.
Related Concept Videos
Opioid Receptors: Overview
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Analgesia and Pain Management
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners

