A PET & fMRI study on opioid conditioning (placebo) effects

描述（由申请人提供）：镇痛是最稳健和研究最充分的安慰剂效应之一。累积的证据表明存在一系列安慰剂镇痛机制。最近的神经影像学研究表明，涉及多个大脑区域和神经递质。然而，目前尚不清楚这些实验的结果是否代表了安慰剂效应的一般模式或由特定情况引起的多种不同机制。在安慰剂研究中，绘制连贯和精确的通路是一个紧迫的挑战。本研究的目的是产生初步的创新，高空间分辨率，同步，多模态脑成像数据，研究精确定义的安慰剂镇痛作用，在特定的神经递质系统和全脑活动，反映了BOLD MR成像。具体而言，基于依赖于吗啡条件反射的安慰剂效应是纳洛酮可逆的证据，该提案将使用创新技术研究阿片类药物（吗啡）条件反射效应的大脑机制-一种集成的MRI-PET系统，可以同时收集fMRI和[11 C]卡芬太尼PET数据。我们相信这项研究（结合未来计划的扩展研究）将在更广泛的层面上扩展我们对药物特异性条件作用，成瘾，身心互动以及认知（有意识）和非认知（无意识）调制过程的理解。 公共卫生相关性：本研究的目的是研究阿片类药物（吗啡）安慰剂效应的潜在机制，使用创新的成像技术，集成MRI和PET。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Analgesia is one of the most robust and best-studied placebo effects. Accumulated evidence indicates the existence of a spectrum of placebo analgesia mechanisms. Recent neuroimaging studies have demonstrated the involvement of multiple brain regions and neurotransmitters. Yet it is still unclear if the results from these experiments represent a general modality of the placebo effect or multiple distinct mechanisms elicited by specific situations. Mapping coherent and precise pathway(s) is an urgent challenge in placebo studies. The aim of this study is to generate preliminary innovative, high spatial resolution, simultaneous, multi-modal brain imaging data investigating precisely defined placebo analgesic effects in specific neurotransmitter system and whole brain activity as reflected by BOLD MR imaging. Specifically, based on evidence that placebo effects dependent on morphine conditioning are naloxone reversible, this proposal will investigate the brain mechanism of opioid (morphine) conditioning effects using innovative technology -- an integrated MRI-PET system that can collect fMRI and [11C] carfentanil PET data simultaneously. We believe this study (combined with an extended study planned for the future) will expand our understanding of drug-specific conditioning effects, addiction, mind-body interaction, and cognitive (conscious) and non-cognitive (unconscious) modulation processes on a more general level. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The aim of this study is to investigate the underlying mechanism of opioid (morphine) placebo effects using the innovative imaging technique of integrated MRI and PET.