scholarly journals Neuro Effects of Opioids on the Human Brain

Author(s):  
Clairmont Griffith ◽  
Bernice La France

This paper is an examination of the neuro effects of opioids on the human brain. The research examines the brain receptors, region, enzymes, agonists involved, and the results of its interaction with opioids. Examination of the pharmacological effect on receptors located in the neural cell membranes shows that the most important aspect is the modulation of the K and Ca ions channels. This is mediated by the activation of the delta, kappa and mu opioid receptors in the peripheral and central nervous systems. The study found that opioid receptors are coupled by guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G-proteins) to the K+ channel and voltage sensitive Ca++ channel, particularly, the N-type channel. The channels are inhibited if K+ outwards release is increased leading to short polarization time. The outward movement occurs in several regions of the spinal cords, brain, and the myenteric plexus. The rapid K+ outward movement is associated with the observed hyperpolarization and inhibition c4aused by opioids. While the brain has naturally occurring opioids peptides (the b endorphin, the enkephalins and the dynorphin which preferentially interact with the m-receptor, d-receptors and k-receptors respectively), morphine was found to produce exaggerated stimulation of the m-receptor which induce tolerance, addiction, and dependency. The results of opioid interaction with the brain were found to cause depression, nausea, sedation, dysphoria, and impaired cognition, modulation of emotions, stress, rewards, memory and learning.

1993 ◽  
Vol 620 (1) ◽  
pp. 174-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroki Ozawa ◽  
Yoshinari Katamura ◽  
Shinichi Hatta ◽  
Toshikazu Saito ◽  
Toshiaki Katada ◽  
...  

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