Opioid Mechanisms and the Treatment of Depression.
Curr Top Behav Neurosci
; 2023 Nov 04.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37923934
ABSTRACT
Opioid receptors are widely expressed in the brain, and the opioid system has a key role in modulating mood, reward processing and stress responsivity. There is mounting evidence that the endogenous opioid system may be dysregulated in depression and that drug treatments targeting mu, delta and kappa opioid receptors may show antidepressant potential. The mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of opioid system engagement are complex and likely multi-factorial. This chapter explores various pathways through which the modulation of the opioid system may influence depression. These include impacts on monoaminergic systems, the regulation of stress and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the immune system and inflammation, brain-derived neurotrophic factors, neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, social pain and social reward, as well as expectancy and placebo effects. A greater understanding of the diverse mechanisms through which opioid system modulation may improve depressive symptoms could ultimately aid in the development of safe and effective alternative treatments for individuals with difficult-to-treat depression.
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Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Curr Top Behav Neurosci
Asunto de la revista:
CIENCIAS DO COMPORTAMENTO
/
NEUROLOGIA
Año:
2023
Tipo del documento:
Article