Opiates May Have Neuroprotective Properties against Neurodegeneration and Premature Death

Submit Manuscript | http://medcraveonline.com J Psychol Clin Psychiatry 2015, 3(4): 00144 death [1]. There have been several recent publications consistent with premature deaths associated with discontinuation of opiates independent of withdrawal induced adverse events [2-4]. There is also compelling neuro imaging evidence of brain atrophy associated with chronic pain and depression [5-6]. A number of studies have documented abnormalities of endorphin metabolism in patients or in postmortem brains of suicide victims consistent with the crucial role of opiates in the genesis in psychiatric disorders [7]. This study reviews potential neuro protective properties of opiates against neurodegeneration and premature death.