Articles tagged with Opioid Receptors
Researchers at WashU Medicine developed a pain killer that blocks kappa opioid receptors to restore motivation in rodents. The compound dampens the negative emotions associated with pain without causing euphoria, offering a potential approach to less addictive pain treatment.
Researchers investigate opioid receptors' effect on cardioprotection against coronary disease and find that certain subtypes have a special role in adapting to oxygen lack. The study suggests new targets for developing ischemia prevention drugs, with promising results.
Researchers have developed a new nano-painkiller that bypasses the blood-brain barrier and has been shown to be effective in treating intense pain without severe side effects. The new approach uses Leu-enkephalin-based nanoparticles that target peripherally located opioid receptors with lower abuse potential than morphine.
Median nerve stimulation triggers release of neuropeptide orexin from hypothalamus, leading to reduced inhibitory control in midbrain's pain-control region. This analgesic effect depends on endocannabinoid receptors, not opioid receptors.
Researchers found that a drug called nalfurafine hydrochloride can deliver itch relief by targeting kappa opioid receptors on neurons in the spinal cord, potentially treating many types of chronic itching.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have created a new drug-like compound that activates only the kappa opioid receptor, a key step in developing better pain medications. This breakthrough could lead to safer and more effective opioids with reduced side effects.
Two studies comparing buprenorphine and naltrexone found that both medications are equally effective in preventing relapse and reducing illicit opioid use. However, naltrexone can be more difficult to initiate due to the 'detox hurdle' faced by many patients.
A new study examines how opioids affect proteins in the brain beyond opioid receptors, revealing potential analgesic and toxic effects. The researchers found that certain synthetic opioids inhibit serotonin transporters, which may contribute to their pain-relieving properties but also increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Researchers found that social laughter leads to increased release of endorphins and opioid peptides, promoting social bonding and feelings of safety. This chemical response may underlie individual differences in sociability, highlighting the importance of vocal communication in maintaining human social networks.
A study suggests that methylnaltrexone can improve the survival of advanced cancer patients with constipation, indicating a potential target for cancer therapy. The drug works by blocking opioid receptors in the gut, reversing constipation without affecting pain relief.
Researchers discovered a protein that prevents delta opioid receptors from responding normally to opioids, but exposure to bradykinin restores their function. This finding could lead to the development of safer, more effective opioids for chronic pain treatment.
Researchers identified a novel compound with comparable painkilling power to morphine but without respiratory suppression. The new compound's potential is enhanced by early signs of reduced addiction potential in mouse studies.
Researchers at UNC discovered that kappa opioid receptors inhibit the release of neurotransmitter glutamate in a brain region regulating emotion, leading to increased anxiety. The study found that activating KORs suppresses an anxiety-reducing pathway, making them potential targets for treating anxiety disorders.
New research reveals a genetic influence on choosing immediate rewards over delayed ones, linked to serotonin and kappa opioid receptors. This finding suggests a potential genetic basis for impulsivity and addiction-related behaviors.
A new study by the Scripps Research Institute has identified a specific molecule called RGS7 that controls morphine receptor signaling in brain cells. Without this protein, animals were more prone to morphine addiction. The findings suggest that RGS7 could be a potential drug target for developing less-addictive pain medications.
Researchers have identified a single amino acid difference in the mu-opioid receptor that affects behavior and addiction susceptibility. Individuals with the G variant exhibit improved resilience to stress, reduced susceptibility to alcoholism, and increased ability to quit smoking and heroin use.
Researchers identified OGF-OGFr regulatory pathway as key factor in enhanced cell replication and diabetic wound healing. Topical naltrexone application stimulates cell proliferation, but only when OGFr expression is diminished.
A new study by NYU Langone Medical Center identifies a specific neurobiological basis for key symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including sadness, emotional detachment, and listlessness. The research uses brain imaging to link an opioid receptor in the brain to these symptoms, suggesting a potential target for personal...
A new study suggests that kappa opioid receptor blockers might play a role in treating alcoholism by preventing relapse during withdrawal. The KOR system is dysregulated in the amygdala of alcohol-dependent rats, leading to excessive consumption during withdrawal.
Scientists at LMU developed photoreactive compounds that modulate nerve-cell function, opening new routes to treat neurological diseases like chronic pain and visual impairment. They created hybrid photoreceptors that respond to light, potentially leading to new therapies for these conditions.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine and The Scripps Research Institute found a way to modulate specific pathways in opioid receptors, allowing for more precise targeting of brain diseases. This breakthrough could lead to better treatment options for chronic pain, Parkinson's disease, and depression with fewer side effects.
Researchers discovered how sodium controls opioid receptors, a major class of brain cell receptors. The findings suggest new therapeutic approaches to treat pain and mood disorders. Sodium's effect on receptor activity is crucial for developing better opioid-receptor-targeting drugs.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have determined the 3D structure of the human glucagon receptor, a key drug target for type 2 diabetes. The study's findings provide new information on how cells regulate glucose levels and may aid in the development of treatments for glucose-related disorders.
The Ruhr-University Bochum research team has successfully identified the structure of an enkephalin in solution and tracked its interaction with opioid receptors. This discovery provides a precise starting point for developing drugs to combat specific types of pain.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania designed a variant of the mu opioid receptor, which can be grown in large quantities in bacteria and is water-soluble, enabling experiments that were previously challenging or impossible. The new design allows for further iterations to be easily made alongside experimental conditions.
Researchers found that blocking kappa opioid receptors in the central amygdala reduced signs of cocaine addiction in rats, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach. The study highlights an alternative to traditional pleasure-seeking circuits and provides hope for new treatments targeting negative motivational factors.
Researchers have identified a novel approach to moderate and severe pain therapy that could lead to lower dosage painkillers. The compounds bind to a separate site on the opioid receptor, potentially working with the body's own natural painkillers to manage pain.
Researchers have identified a compound that can reduce PTSD-like symptoms in mice after they are exposed to stress, suggesting a potential new treatment. The discovery is based on the finding that morphine administration may lower the risk of developing PTSD by affecting fear learning.
Researchers discovered that nalmefene significantly reduces alcohol consumption and improves patients' clinical status and liver enzymes. The medication is well-tolerated with mild to moderate side effects.
A University of Kentucky study investigated the habit-forming properties of tramadol, a popular pain medication. Researchers found that participants rated tramadol highly, suggesting an increased potential for abuse, even at doses above the normal therapeutic range.
Researchers discovered that blocking delta opioid receptors in mice reduced body weight despite high-fat and sugar diets. The study found increased non-shivering thermogenesis due to gene expression changes in brown adipose tissue.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have determined the three-dimensional atomic structure of a human opioid receptor, a molecule that binds to opioids and is involved in pain, pleasure, addiction, depression, and related conditions. The findings could lead to the development of better medicine for these conditions.
A study led by UCSF researchers found that drinking releases endorphins in areas of the brain associated with pleasure and reward. This discovery provides a possible approach to improving treatment for alcohol abuse through more effective medications targeting the Mu opioid receptor.
Researchers discovered that low-dose naltrexone inhibits cell proliferation by targeting the OGF-OGFr axis, which regulates cell cycle and proliferation. This study provides new insights into the molecular pathway utilized by LDN, a clinically prescribed agent for cancer and autoimmune diseases.
SUNY Downstate researchers found that female animals had higher levels of a specific opioid receptor complex that could explain why certain opioids are more effective in women than men. This discovery suggests new molecular targets for pain management in women, taking into account the stage of their menstrual cycle.
A new study suggests that highly palatable, energy-dense foods can lead to increased fat storage by activating genes. Researchers found that a diet high in fat and sugar stimulates the kappa opioid receptor, causing the body to hold onto more fat than usual.
Stress-evoked changes in serotonin-regulating brain pathways can lead to low mood and cocaine-seeking. Researchers found that the dynorphin/kappa opioid system, activated by stress or chemicals, weakens serotonin levels in the nucleus accumbens.
The opioid system controls pain, reward and addictive behaviors through mu, delta, and kappa receptors. Mice lacking these receptors exhibit altered emotional responses and sensitivity to pain.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that a genetic variation in the mu opioid receptor gene may make brain cells more vulnerable to addictive drugs. The A118G variation resulted in reduced protein production and altered mRNA regulation, potentially increasing an individual's susceptibility to addiction.
Research found that knocking out delta opioid receptor increased anxiety and led to increased drinking behavior in mice. The study suggests a potential link between the endogenous opioid system, stress, and alcohol consumption.
A unique experiment studying chemical activity in human brains while experiencing sustained pain revealed long-suspected connections between pain-dampening changes in brain chemistry and sensory/emotional responses. The findings may help researchers better understand prolonged pain and find more effective ways to relieve it.
Researchers at McGill University have identified a novel receptor combination that could lead to new treatments for various neurological disorders. The discovery involves the interaction between dopamine and somatostatin receptors, which can produce synergistic responses when activated simultaneously.
Philip Portoghese, a medicinal chemist at the University of Minnesota, has received the Alfred Burger Award in Medicinal Chemistry from the American Chemical Society for his work on opioid receptors. His research reveals how drugs such as morphine interact with these receptors, enabling the creation of new, more effective drugs.
A groundbreaking mouse study has identified the molecular mechanism behind morphine tolerance, offering new hope for more effective pain management. The research found that genetically engineered mice lacking a key protein exhibited prolonged analgesia and reduced tolerance to morphine.
Scientists have identified a network of cellular receptors in the spinal cord that transmits sensations of chronic pain. Blocking their activity may provide a new strategy for pain management. The discovery suggests that pain can be caused by pathways normally not painful.