Abstract
The pathophysiology of mood disorders involves several genetic and social predisposing factors, as well as a dysregulated response to a chronic stressor, i.e. chronic pain. Our present view that depression involves a dysfunction of the monoaminergic system is a result of important clinical and preclinical observations over the past 40 years. In fact, current pharmacological treatment for depression is based on the use of drugs that act mainly by enhancing brain serotonin and noradrenaline neurotransmission by the blockade of the active reuptake mechanism for these neurotransmitters. However, a substantial number of patients do not respond adequately to antidepressant drugs. In view of this, there is an intense search to identify novel targets (receptors) for antidepressant therapy. Opioid peptides and their receptors are potential candidates for the development of novel antidepressant treatment. In this context, endogenous opioid peptides are coexpressed in brain areas known to play a major role in affective disorders and in the action of antidepressant drugs. The actions of endogenous opioids and opiates are mediated by three receptor subtypes (μ, δ and κ), which are coupled to different intracellular effector systems. Also, antidepressants which increase the availability of noradrenaline and serotonin through the inhibition of the reuptake of both monoamines lead to the enhancement of the opioid pathway. Tricyclic antidepressants show an analgesic effect in neuropathic and inflammatory pain that is blocked by the opioid antagonist naloxone. A compilation of the most significant studies will illustrate the actual and potential value of the opioid system for clinical research and drug development.
Keywords: Opioid, opiate, μ (MOP receptor), δ (DOP receptor), κ (KOP receptor), antidepressant, depression, monoamines
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Opiates as Antidepressants
Volume: 15 Issue: 14
Author(s): Esther Berrocoso, Pilar Sanchez-Blazquez, Javier Garzon and Juan A. Mico
Affiliation:
Keywords: Opioid, opiate, μ (MOP receptor), δ (DOP receptor), κ (KOP receptor), antidepressant, depression, monoamines
Abstract: The pathophysiology of mood disorders involves several genetic and social predisposing factors, as well as a dysregulated response to a chronic stressor, i.e. chronic pain. Our present view that depression involves a dysfunction of the monoaminergic system is a result of important clinical and preclinical observations over the past 40 years. In fact, current pharmacological treatment for depression is based on the use of drugs that act mainly by enhancing brain serotonin and noradrenaline neurotransmission by the blockade of the active reuptake mechanism for these neurotransmitters. However, a substantial number of patients do not respond adequately to antidepressant drugs. In view of this, there is an intense search to identify novel targets (receptors) for antidepressant therapy. Opioid peptides and their receptors are potential candidates for the development of novel antidepressant treatment. In this context, endogenous opioid peptides are coexpressed in brain areas known to play a major role in affective disorders and in the action of antidepressant drugs. The actions of endogenous opioids and opiates are mediated by three receptor subtypes (μ, δ and κ), which are coupled to different intracellular effector systems. Also, antidepressants which increase the availability of noradrenaline and serotonin through the inhibition of the reuptake of both monoamines lead to the enhancement of the opioid pathway. Tricyclic antidepressants show an analgesic effect in neuropathic and inflammatory pain that is blocked by the opioid antagonist naloxone. A compilation of the most significant studies will illustrate the actual and potential value of the opioid system for clinical research and drug development.
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Cite this article as:
Berrocoso Esther, Sanchez-Blazquez Pilar, Garzon Javier and Mico A. Juan, Opiates as Antidepressants, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2009; 15 (14) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161209788168100
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161209788168100 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
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