Chronic opiate exposure induces numerous neurochemical adaptations in the noradrenergic system, including upregulation of the cAMP-signaling pathway and increased expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine biosynthesis. These adaptations are thought to compensate for opiate-mediated neuronal inhibition but also contribute to physical dependence, including...

Much research has focused on pathways leading to opiate addiction. Pathways opposing addiction are more difficult to study but may be critical in developing interventions to combat drug dependence and withdrawal. Galanin decreases firing of locus coeruleus neurons, an effect hypothesized to decrease signs of opiate withdrawal. The current study addresses whether galanin affects morphine withdra...

Incubation of neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid cells for 12-97 hr with methionine-enkephalin results in an increase in adenylate cyclase activity [ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.1] that is mediated by the opiate receptor. The results show that cells become tolerant to, and dependent upon, enkephalin.

BACKGROUND The safety of opiate use for patients with Crohn's disease (CD) has long been a concern. The recent Crohn's therapy, resource, evaluation, and assessment tool (TREAT) registry update has added to these concerns by demonstrating an association of opiate use with an increased risk of infection and death in CD. While the association is clear, the relationship of opiates to these negativ...

Tianeptine, an atypical antidepressant, has been found to exhibit a potential for abuse. The use of therapeutic doses of tianeptine during pregnancy has never raised safety concerns. However, the impact of tianeptine abuse on the mother-child dyad has never been assessed. We report herein the case of a female patient who presented with dependence on tianeptine, with the use of >650 mg of the dr...

BACKGROUND Results of preclinical studies suggest that the GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen may be useful in treatment of opioid dependence. This study was aimed at assessing the possible efficacy of baclofen for maintenance treatment of opioid dependence. METHODS A total of 40 opioid-dependent patients were detoxified and randomly assigned to receive baclofen (60 mg/day) or placebo in a 12-...

We conducted a prospective follow-up study of consecutive opiate dependent patients admitted to a residential addiction treatment service for detoxification. We measured the rate of relapse following discharge, and sought to identify factors that were associated with early relapse (i.e., a return to daily opiate use). Follow-up interviews were conducted with 109 patients, of whom, 99 (91%) repo...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Opiates remain the most effective compounds for alleviating severe pain across a wide range of conditions. However, their use is associated with significant side effects. Neuropeptide FF (NPFF) receptors have been implicated in several opiate-induced neuroadaptive changes including the development of tolerance. In this study, we investigated the consequences of NPFF recep...