The mechanisms responsible for tolerance at the mu-opioid receptor

像吗啡这样的强效止痛阿片类药物在长期使用后会失去效力，因为它们在体内的单一靶蛋白失去了正常的信号功能。这项研究将利用新方法确定脑神经细胞功能丧失的机制，以确定所涉及的分子适应。这将为开发具有长期疗效的阿片类镇痛药物提供一个合理的框架。

Strong pain relieving opioid drugs like morphine lose their effectiveness when used for long periods because the single protein target for them in the body loses its� normal signalling functions. This research will determine the mechanisms responsible for this loss of function in brain nerve cells using novel methods to identify the molecular adaptations involved. This will provide a rational framework for development of pain relieving opioid drugs that can maintain long term efficacy.