Kappa opioid receptor signaling in the brain: Circuitry and implications for treatment

Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2015 Oct 1:62:51-60. doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2015.01.001. Epub 2015 Jan 12.

Abstract

Kappa opioid receptors (KORs) in the central nervous system have been known to be important regulators of a variety of psychiatry illnesses, including anxiety and addiction, but their precise involvement in these disorders is complex and has yet to be fully elucidated. Here, we briefly review the pharmacology of KORs in the brain, including KOR's involvement in anxiety, depression, and drug addiction. We also review the known neuronal circuitry impacted by KOR signaling, and interactions with corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF), another key peptide in anxiety-related illnesses, as well as the role of glucocorticoids. We suggest that KORs are a promising therapeutic target for a host of neuropsychiatric conditions.

Keywords: Addiction; Anxiety; Circuitry; Dynorphin; KOR; Stress.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anxiety Disorders / drug therapy
  • Anxiety Disorders / metabolism
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Depressive Disorder / drug therapy
  • Depressive Disorder / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Neural Pathways / drug effects
  • Neural Pathways / metabolism
  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa / metabolism*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / drug therapy
  • Substance-Related Disorders / metabolism

Substances

  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa