by A recent study published in the prestigious journal Nature sheds light on the neural mechanisms underlying fentanyl addiction. A team of neuroscientists from the University of Geneva, University of Strasbourg, Institute for Advanced Study, and Université de Montpellier CNRS collaborated to reveal the intricacies of this highly addictive opioid.
Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, is known for its euphoric effects and addictive properties. Previous research has established that the release of dopamine in the midbrain is responsible for the pleasurable sensations experienced by users. However, the neural underpinnings of the withdrawal symptoms have remained elusive.
To gain a deeper understanding of fentanyl addiction, the researchers conducted experiments on test mice. They administered fentanyl injections for three consecutive days and examined the resulting brain activity. As anticipated, they observed an increase in dopamine production in the ventral tegmental area, which is associated with feelings of pleasure.
Upon discontinuing the fentanyl injections and administering naloxone to induce withdrawal symptoms, the researchers identified heightened neural activity in parts of the amygdala, a region associated with processing negative emotions and fear responses. Under a microscope, they discovered that these neurons contained receptors capable of responding directly to fentanyl.
The researchers further investigated the role of these distinct neural pathways by manipulating the receptors in the ventral tegmental area and amygdala. They found that suppressing the receptors in the ventral tegmental area abolished the pleasurable effects of fentanyl but did not affect the withdrawal symptoms. Conversely, inhibiting the receptors in the amygdala alleviated the withdrawal symptoms without impacting the pleasurable effects.
Moreover, the researchers engineered the same neurons to respond to light, enabling the mice to reduce their withdrawal symptoms by turning on the light.
In conclusion, this study reveals that the addictive properties of fentanyl are attributed to the significant increase in dopamine release and the highly unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that ensue upon cessation of use. By identifying these two distinct neural pathways, researchers may be able to develop more effective treatment strategies for fentanyl addiction.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research.
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it.
