Using Light To Activate Opioid Receptors and Relieve Pain
Researchers have successfully activated the brain's opioid receptors using optogenetics.... Read More...
opioid receptors
Obesity Is Associated with Lowered Opioid Receptor Availability
Using neuroimaging technology, researchers discover lower numbers of opioid receptors in the brain of obese people.... Read More...
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.... Read More...
Scientists Develop Promising Drug Candidates for Pain, Addiction
Researchers describe a pair of drug candidates which advance the search for new treatments for addiction, pain and other disorders. ... Read More...
Scientists Solve 40-year Mystery of How Sodium Controls Opioid Brain Signaling
Researchers discover how sodium influences the signalling of opioid receptors.... Read More...
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.... Read More...
Preclinical Study Shows Heroin Vaccine Blocks Relapse
Scientists reported successful preclinical tests in rats of a new vaccine against heroin addiction. The vaccine targets heroin and its psychoactive breakdown products in the bloodstream, blocking relapse.... Read More...
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.... Read More...
Study Offers Clue As to Why Alcohol is Addicting
UCSF Gallo scientists show that drinking releases brain endorphinsDrinking alcohol leads to the release of endorphins in areas of the brain that produce fee... Read More...