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A retinal contribution to opioid-induced sleep disorders?
Nikolas Bergum1, Casey-Tyler Berezin2, Jozsef Vigh1,2
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States.
Frontiers in Neuroscience
|August 22, 2022
Summary
Opioid use disrupts sleep by interfering with circadian rhythms via retinal cells. Targeting these cells may treat opioid-related sleep disturbances.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Chronic opioid use causes significant sleep disturbances.
- Opioid-induced sleep problems elevate risks for dependence, mood disorders, and overdose.
- The precise mechanisms linking opioids to sleep disruption are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of opioids on intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs).
- To explore how opioids affect ipRGCs' role in synchronizing circadian rhythms.
- To evaluate ipRGCs as a potential therapeutic target for opioid-related sleep issues.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on opioid effects on sleep and circadian rhythms.
- Focus on the role of ipRGCs in photoentrainment.
- Analysis of opioid receptor expression in retinal cells.
Main Results:
- Opioids disrupt sleep/wake behaviors by impairing photoentrainment.
- Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) expressing μ-opioid receptors are key mediators.
- Opioid effects on ipRGCs alter light signal transmission to brain circadian centers.
Conclusions:
- Opioids perturb sleep by disrupting the synchronization of circadian rhythms.
- ipRGCs are critically involved in mediating opioid-induced sleep disturbances.
- Targeting ipRGCs presents a promising therapeutic avenue for managing opioid-related sleep problems.
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