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Published on: April 9, 2019
Enkephalins and Pain Modulation: Mechanisms of Action and Therapeutic Perspectives
1Faculty of Education and Psychology, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain.
Abstract:
Enkephalins, a subclass of endogenous opioid peptides, play a pivotal role in pain modulation. Enkephalins primarily exert their effects through opioid receptors located widely throughout both the central and peripheral nervous systems. This review will explore the mechanisms by which enkephalins produce analgesia, emotional regulation, neuroprotection, and other physiological effects. Furthermore, this review will analyze the involvement of enkephalins in the modulation of different pathologies characterized by severe pain. Understanding the complex role of enkephalins in pain processing provides valuable insight into potential therapeutic strategies for managing pain disorders.
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