Reports summarize science research from Medical University of Vienna
2009 AUG 4 - (NewsRx.com) -- According to a study from Vienna, Austria, "mu-Opioid receptor (MOR) agonists represent the gold standard for the treatment of severe pain but may paradoxically also enhance pain sensitivity, that is, lead to opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH). We show that abrupt withdrawal from MOR agonists induces long-term potentiation (LTP) at the first synapse in pain pathways." "Induction of opioid withdrawal LTP requires postsynaptic activation of heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and a rise of postsynaptic calcium concentrations. In contrast, the acute depression by opioids is induced presynaptically at these synapses. Withdrawal LTP can be prevented by tapered withdrawal and shares pharmacology and signal transduction pathways with OIH," wrote R. Drdla and colleagues, Medical University of Vienna. The researchers concluded: "These findings provide a previously unrecognized target to selectively combat pro-nociceptive effects of opioids without compromising opioid analgesia." Drdla and colleagues published their study in Science (Induction of Synaptic Long-Term Potentiation After Opioid Withdrawal. Science, 2009;325(5937):207-210). For more information, contact J. Sandkuhler, Medical University of Vienna, Center Brain Research, Dept. of Neurophysiology, Spitalgasse 4, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. Publisher contact information for the journal Science is: American Association Advancement Science, 1200 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA. Keywords: Austria, Vienna, Life Sciences, Hyperalgesia, Neurology, Opioid Receptors, Medical University of Vienna. This article was prepared by Science Letter editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Science Letter via NewsRx.com.
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