Opioid analgesics are the mainstay of pain management. However, their acute or chronic use leads to side effects, such as respiratory depression, tolerance, and dependence, representing major public health and socioeconomic issues. Fentanyl analogs have emerged in the black market and led to morbidity and mortality. In addition, several classes of bifunctional compounds, such as cebranopadol, AT-201, etc. have been developed that show promise as analgesics with limited tolerance and dependence liability. However, the effect of these novel compounds on the reward circuit, as well as on the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems, has not been fully characterized. In particular, whether these drugs alter accumbal dopamine to induce reward and if this can be reinforced in rodents and non-human primates need to be evaluated. Furthermore, the side effects of these compounds, such as respiratory depression, constipation, etc., have not been fully studied. Likewise, whether these compounds induce tolerance and dependence need to be fully explored.
This Research Topic aims to publish breakthrough findings encompassing the pharmacological effects, both beneficial effects, (e.g., analgesia) and adverse effects (e.g., respiratory depression, reward, constipation, tolerance, dependence, etc.) of these novel opioids.
We welcome research papers and reviews addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Effects of these compounds on the brain reward circuit, including behavioral, neurochemical and molecular studies, and their implication in addiction.
- The impact of the use of these substances during pregnancy on central and peripheral development of a foetus and alterations in postnatal behaviors. Impact on adulthood periods and impacts of addiction.
- Sex differences in the pharmacological effects of opioid drugs and particularly that of bifunctional compounds.
- Assessing the development of tolerance to and dependence on these novel compounds.
- Examining the effect of these substances on the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems.
- Discussing overdose and death associated with the use of opioids and any novel treatment options for the opioid overdose.
Opioid analgesics are the mainstay of pain management. However, their acute or chronic use leads to side effects, such as respiratory depression, tolerance, and dependence, representing major public health and socioeconomic issues. Fentanyl analogs have emerged in the black market and led to morbidity and mortality. In addition, several classes of bifunctional compounds, such as cebranopadol, AT-201, etc. have been developed that show promise as analgesics with limited tolerance and dependence liability. However, the effect of these novel compounds on the reward circuit, as well as on the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems, has not been fully characterized. In particular, whether these drugs alter accumbal dopamine to induce reward and if this can be reinforced in rodents and non-human primates need to be evaluated. Furthermore, the side effects of these compounds, such as respiratory depression, constipation, etc., have not been fully studied. Likewise, whether these compounds induce tolerance and dependence need to be fully explored.
This Research Topic aims to publish breakthrough findings encompassing the pharmacological effects, both beneficial effects, (e.g., analgesia) and adverse effects (e.g., respiratory depression, reward, constipation, tolerance, dependence, etc.) of these novel opioids.
We welcome research papers and reviews addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Effects of these compounds on the brain reward circuit, including behavioral, neurochemical and molecular studies, and their implication in addiction.
- The impact of the use of these substances during pregnancy on central and peripheral development of a foetus and alterations in postnatal behaviors. Impact on adulthood periods and impacts of addiction.
- Sex differences in the pharmacological effects of opioid drugs and particularly that of bifunctional compounds.
- Assessing the development of tolerance to and dependence on these novel compounds.
- Examining the effect of these substances on the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems.
- Discussing overdose and death associated with the use of opioids and any novel treatment options for the opioid overdose.