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mu opioid receptors

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·February 21, 2023·4 min read

Brain Circuit Involved in Fentanyl Abuse and Relapse Identified

Fentanyl enhances direct pathway medium spiny neurons activity in the striatum. During withdrawal from the opioid, inhibitory signals from direct pathway medium spiny neurons to dopaminergic neurons become enhanced. The enhanced suppression of dopaminergic neurons contributes to the negative emotions associated with fentanyl withdrawal. Inhibiting the direct pathway medium spiny neurons can reduce withdrawal symptoms and associated anxiety behaviors.

This shows a drawing of a mouse and a brain slice

Featured Neuroscience

·October 7, 2022·3 min read

Daylight Hours Impact Opioid Receptor Levels in Brown Fat

Shorter daylight hours increase opioid receptor signaling in the brown fat of animals.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 4, 2019·3 min read

Promising steps towards hope for a treatment for schizophrenia

Mu-opioid receptor (MOR) levels are significantly reduced in the striatum in those with schizophrenia. A lack of MOR system stimulation contributes to negative feelings, such as a lack of motivation and anhedonia, associated with the condition. Increasing MOR levels could help to reduce some of the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·May 30, 2017·3 min read

Brain Opioids Help Us To Relate To Others

Study reveals how the brain's opioid system modulates response to others in pain.

This graph shows a drawing of the hippocampus and diagram showing how morphine affects the circuitry.

Featured Genetics

·July 23, 2015·5 min read

Uncovering the Molecular Mechanisms of Addiction Resistance

A new study addresses the genetics behind why some people seem to be more resistant to addictions than others.

This image shows four PET brain scans associated with this study.

Featured Neuroscience

·March 4, 2015·1 min read

Obesity Is Associated with Lowered Opioid Receptor Availability

Using neuroimaging technology, researchers discover lower numbers of opioid receptors in the brain of obese people.

Featured Neurology

·March 10, 2014·4 min read

Study Identifies New Drug Target for Chronic Touch Evoked Pain

Researchers have identified a subset of neurons which mediate tactile allodynia, a touch evoked pain condition that is resistant to conventional pain medications.

The image shows the opiod system in the brain.

Featured Psychology

·October 10, 2013·5 min read

Sticks and Stones: Brain Releases Natural Painkillers During Social Rejection

Researchers find the opioid system responds to social rejection, not just physical pain.

The image shows the mu opioid receptor. The caption best describes the image.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·June 14, 2013·5 min read

Researchers Design Variant of Main Painkiller Receptor

Researchers have developed a variant of the Mu opioid receptor which has several advantages for experimentation The variant can be grown in large quantities and is water soluble, allowing for experiments and applications which have previously been challenging.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 20, 2012·2 min read

Brain Study Reveals the Roots of Chocolate Temptations

Researchers have new evidence in rats to explain how it is that chocolate candies can be so completely irresistible. The urge to overeat such deliciously sweet and fatty treats traces to an unexpected part of the brain and its production of a natural, opium-like chemical.