Novel delta receptor expression in opioid tolerant/dependent neurons

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Opioids such as morphine and heroin act on specific molecular targets, or receptors, in the brain. Long term use of opioids produce changes in brain receptor systems that greatly diminish the effects of these drugs (tolerance), as well as producing an adverse withdrawal syndrome on cessation of use (physical dependence). The present proposal will identify the mechanisms of adaptations in cellular function in nerve cells critical for these changes. In particular, we have identified enhanced sensitivity of receptor, the delta receptor, that is closely related to the opioid receptor but is not a target for heroin or morphine. We will identify the mechanisms of enhanced activity of this receptor after chronic use of morphine with a view to tergeting therapeutics to manage tolerance and physical dependence in opioid addicts and chronic pain patients.