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EDITORIAL article

Front. Neurosci., 04 April 2023
Sec. Neuropharmacology
Volume 17 - 2023 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2023.1191030
This article is part of the Research Topic Modulation of Neural Circuits and Plasticity Underlying Opioid Analgesia, Tolerance, and Addiction View all 9 articles

Editorial: Modulation of neural circuits and plasticity underlying opioid analgesia, tolerance, and addiction

\nWei Jiang Wei Jiang1*Wangyuan Zou Wangyuan Zou2*Zengyou Ye Zengyou Ye3*
  • 1Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
  • 2Department of Anesthesiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
  • 3National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States

Editorial on the Research Topic
Modulation of neural circuits and plasticity underlying opioid analgesia, tolerance, and addiction

The modulation of neural circuits and plasticity underlying opioid effects, including analgesia, tolerance, and addiction, is a critical research area. Chronic opioid use can lead to changes in neural circuitry, pain processing, reward, and motivation, leading to tolerance and addiction. Therefore, understanding the neural mechanisms underlying these processes is vital for developing new treatments for pain management and opioid addiction.

Liu-Chen and Huang reviewed the potential therapeutic benefits of kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonists, such as analgesia and treatment of substance use and demyelinating diseases, while minimizing their adverse side effects. Xing et al. investigated the role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modifications of RNA in morphine tolerance. Meanwhile, McKendrick et al. investigated the role of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in context-induced opioid seeking behavior in mice.

Antoine et al. explored the potential relationship between opioid use disorder (OUD) and microglia, the resident macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS). Furthermore, they suggested that the inflammatory response mediated by the microglia could contribute to the pathophysiology of SUDs, particularly OUD.

Qian et al. conducted a clinical trial investigating the efficacy of low-dose naloxone in reducing the incidence of sufentanil-induced cough (SIC) and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Additionally, Yiping et al. conducted a randomized controlled study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of epidural morphine or hydromorphone in patients with post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN).

Finally, Ma et al. proposed a hypothesis that comprehensive pain assessment using scientific and technological means, combined with psychological assessment pictures and existing scales, may provide a new method for more effective clinical treatment of pain, especially chronic severe pain. Additionally, Jia et al. investigated whether nalmefene, dexmedetomidine, and both drugs combined prevent remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic gynecological surgery.

In summary, these reviews and studies shed light on the neural mechanisms underlying the effects of opioids, and the potential therapeutic benefits, while minimizing their adverse side effects. The updates included in this Research Topic are essential for developing new treatments for pain management and opioid addiction. They would be useful references for all readers conducting opioid research.

Author contributions

All authors listed have made a substantial, direct, and intellectual contribution to the work and approved it for publication.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher's note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Keywords: chronic opioid use, pain management, microglia, kappa opioid receptor, naloxone, hyperalgesia, circular RNA, post-herpetic neuralgia

Citation: Jiang W, Zou W and Ye Z (2023) Editorial: Modulation of neural circuits and plasticity underlying opioid analgesia, tolerance, and addiction. Front. Neurosci. 17:1191030. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1191030

Received: 21 March 2023; Accepted: 27 March 2023;
Published: 04 April 2023.

Edited and reviewed by: Nicholas M. Barnes, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom

Copyright © 2023 Jiang, Zou and Ye. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

*Correspondence: Wei Jiang, amlhbmd3JiN4MDAwNDA7c2p0dS5lZHUuY24=; Wangyuan Zou, d2FuZ3l1YW56b3UmI3gwMDA0MDtob3RtYWlsLmNvbQ==; Zengyou Ye, emVuZ3lvdS55ZSYjeDAwMDQwO25paC5nb3Y=

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.