The endogenous opioid system is mainly composed of three G-protein-coupled receptors known as mu (MOR), delta (DOR), and kappa (KOR) receptor, and their endogenous peptides known as the endorphins, the enkephalins, and the dynorphins. A growing body of research indicates that the endogenous opioid system is directly involved in the regulation of pain, addiction, and mood control. The high expression of endogenous opioid peptides and receptors in limbic systems highlights the central role of opioid system in both euphoric and reward processes, and emotional responses, which set it as a plausible target for intervention of mood disorders, especially anxiety and depression. In addition, a line of evidence demonstrates that the functions of endogenous opioid system are modulated by its interaction with other endogenous systems, such as cannabinoids, oxytocin, and so on.
Opioid system plays important roles on central nervous system (CNS). However, there are so many aspects needed to be explored and illuminated. In the current research topic, the goals are the followings: 1) Illumination of molecular mechanism of analgesia and addiction, involving synthetic and endogenous opioids and their effects on memory, and opioid receptors. 2) Exploration of molecular mechanism of mood control by opioids (including endogenous opioids) and opioid receptors, such as modulation of different types of neurons and neural circuits and plasticity. 3) Illustration of the interaction of endogenous opioids with other endogenous systems. 4) Development of novel ligands for better control of pain and mood disorders with less addictive liability. These will help to pave the way for a better understanding of opioid system in the CNS, which will improve the clinical application of opioids and help to develop novel chemicals targeting opioid receptors.
We welcome original work, methods, mini reviews and reviews focusing on the opioids and opioid receptors, both in vitro, in vivo and involving various organisms, such as mice, monkeys, or human beings. The scope of the topic includes but is not limited to the following:
• Advanced updates of molecular mechanisms underlying opioid analgesia and addiction
• Neural functions of opioids and opioid receptors in mood control and underlying mechanism
• Endogenous circuit for opioid receptor regulation of reward
• The interaction of endogenous opioids with other endogenous systems
• Novel ligands developed for intervention of pain and mood disorders
The endogenous opioid system is mainly composed of three G-protein-coupled receptors known as mu (MOR), delta (DOR), and kappa (KOR) receptor, and their endogenous peptides known as the endorphins, the enkephalins, and the dynorphins. A growing body of research indicates that the endogenous opioid system is directly involved in the regulation of pain, addiction, and mood control. The high expression of endogenous opioid peptides and receptors in limbic systems highlights the central role of opioid system in both euphoric and reward processes, and emotional responses, which set it as a plausible target for intervention of mood disorders, especially anxiety and depression. In addition, a line of evidence demonstrates that the functions of endogenous opioid system are modulated by its interaction with other endogenous systems, such as cannabinoids, oxytocin, and so on.
Opioid system plays important roles on central nervous system (CNS). However, there are so many aspects needed to be explored and illuminated. In the current research topic, the goals are the followings: 1) Illumination of molecular mechanism of analgesia and addiction, involving synthetic and endogenous opioids and their effects on memory, and opioid receptors. 2) Exploration of molecular mechanism of mood control by opioids (including endogenous opioids) and opioid receptors, such as modulation of different types of neurons and neural circuits and plasticity. 3) Illustration of the interaction of endogenous opioids with other endogenous systems. 4) Development of novel ligands for better control of pain and mood disorders with less addictive liability. These will help to pave the way for a better understanding of opioid system in the CNS, which will improve the clinical application of opioids and help to develop novel chemicals targeting opioid receptors.
We welcome original work, methods, mini reviews and reviews focusing on the opioids and opioid receptors, both in vitro, in vivo and involving various organisms, such as mice, monkeys, or human beings. The scope of the topic includes but is not limited to the following:
• Advanced updates of molecular mechanisms underlying opioid analgesia and addiction
• Neural functions of opioids and opioid receptors in mood control and underlying mechanism
• Endogenous circuit for opioid receptor regulation of reward
• The interaction of endogenous opioids with other endogenous systems
• Novel ligands developed for intervention of pain and mood disorders