The Molecular Mechanisms of Morphine Addiction
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Colleen A. McClung
SYNOPSIS
Addiction to opiates such as morphine is a major public health concern. A more thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms of opiate addiction can lead to better treatment options in the future. Many of the changes in neuronal activity that occur upon morphine exposure have been known for some time, but until recently, little was known about the changes in gene expression that underlie these effects. Recent advances in molecular biology such as microarray analysis and quantitative (real time) PCR have allowed us to examine the gene expression changes that occur in response to morphine treatments and during morphine withdrawal. This review summarizes many of the known molecular and cellular actions of morphine, and some of the important gene expression changes that occur in response to morphine treatment. Many of these gene expression changes underlie the alterations in neuronal excitability, cell morphology and cell birth or death responsible for producing morphine's rewarding effects, the development of dependence, and withdrawal symptoms after treatment ends.
© 2013 by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co.
Articles in the same Issue
- Masthead
- Contents
- Forthcoming articles
- The Mystery of Sleep Function: Current Perspectives and Future Directions
- The Molecular Mechanisms of Morphine Addiction
- NMDA Receptor-dependent Long-term Depression in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex
- Posterior Parietal Mechanisms of Visual Attention
- Genetic and Pharmacological Basis for Therapeutic Inhibition of Band γ-Secretases in Mouse Models of Alzheimer's Memory Deficits
- Understanding the Neural Correlates of Visual Perception: A Survey of our Toolbox
Articles in the same Issue
- Masthead
- Contents
- Forthcoming articles
- The Mystery of Sleep Function: Current Perspectives and Future Directions
- The Molecular Mechanisms of Morphine Addiction
- NMDA Receptor-dependent Long-term Depression in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex
- Posterior Parietal Mechanisms of Visual Attention
- Genetic and Pharmacological Basis for Therapeutic Inhibition of Band γ-Secretases in Mouse Models of Alzheimer's Memory Deficits
- Understanding the Neural Correlates of Visual Perception: A Survey of our Toolbox
