opioid receptors

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 29, 2020

Age, sex and smoking influence opioid receptor function in the brain

Age, sex, and gender influence the organization of the brain's opioid system. Findings shed light on why there are significant differences between the opioid system on an individual level, and why some are more prone to developing opioid-linked pathologies than others. Read More

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 31, 2019

Ketamine isn’t an opioid and treats depression in a unique way

A new study clarifies the mechanism behind how ketamine works as an antidepressant. Researchers say there is evidence to suggest ketamine binds to NMDA receptors, instead of opioid receptors. Reducing the belief that ketamine is an opioid may make patients with depression more open to using the treatment. Read More

This shows a hand holding a blue laser light.

Featured Neurology

·April 30, 2015

Using Light To Activate Opioid Receptors and Relieve Pain

Researchers have successfully activated the brain's opioid receptors using optogenetics. Read More

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

Featured Neuroscience

·March 4, 2015

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

Featured Neurology

·March 10, 2014

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

Featured Neuroscience

·January 13, 2014

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

Featured Neuroscience

·January 12, 2014

Scientists Solve 40-year Mystery of How Sodium Controls Opioid Brain Signaling

Researchers discover how sodium influences the signalling of opioid receptors. Read More

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

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·June 14, 2013

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

The image shows the opiate binding sites within the brain, highlighted in green.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 6, 2013

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

Featured Neuroscience

·September 20, 2012

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

Neuroscience Videos Psychology

·January 11, 2012