Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 1, 2025
07:23
Assessment of Morphine-induced Hyperalgesia and Analgesic Tolerance in Mice Using Thermal and Mechanical Nociceptive Modalities
Published on: July 29, 2014
33.3K
Genetic mouse models in opioid research: current status and future directions
Monserrat Avila-Zozaya1, Venetia Zachariou2
1Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
Journal of Neural Transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996)
|March 4, 2024
Summary
Advanced genetic mouse models are crucial for understanding opioid receptor effects and intracellular mediators, aiding the development of safer analgesics and treatments for opioid use disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Genetics
Background:
- Long-term opioid use for severe pain can lead to physical dependence and addiction.
- Understanding the neurobiology of the opioid system is vital for developing safer analgesics.
- Rising synthetic opioid use and overdose cases necessitate better treatment strategies for opioid use disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of advanced genetic mouse models in opioid research.
- To discuss the need for genetic models to study opioid receptor regional effects.
- To investigate the cell compartment-specific roles of intracellular opioid mediators.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing advanced genetic mouse models.
- Studying regional effects of opioid receptors.
- Investigating intracellular mediators of opioid actions within specific cell compartments.
Main Results:
- Advanced genetic mouse models enable detailed study of opioid receptor functions.
- These models are essential for dissecting the neuroanatomical and cellular pathways of opioid dependence and addiction.
- Research highlights the necessity of cell-specific investigations into opioid signaling.
Conclusions:
- Genetic mouse models are indispensable tools for advancing our understanding of the opioid system.
- This research is critical for developing novel therapeutic approaches to combat opioid use disorders.
- Further investigation into cell-specific opioid actions will guide the creation of effective and safe analgesics.
Related Concept Videos
02:43Mouse Models of Cancer Study
5.5K
Mice have long served as models for studying human biology and pathology because of their phylogenetic and physiological similarity with humans. They are also easy to maintain and breed in the laboratory, and hence, many inbred strains are now available for research. Studies on mice have contributed immeasurably to our understanding of cancer biology.
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...
5.5K
01:25Analgesia and Pain Management
618
Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
618
01:22Opioid Receptors: Overview
808
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,...
808
01:16In-vitro Mutagenesis
13.9K
To learn more about the function of a gene, researchers can observe what happens when the gene is inactivated or “knocked out,” by creating genetically engineered knockout animals. Knockout mice have been particularly useful as models for human diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes.
13.9K
01:15Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
295
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...
295