College
Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine
Keywords
Social Isolation, Stress, Opioid receptors, VTA
IRB or IACUC Protocol Number
2020-1191
Date of Presentation
5-1-2025 12:00 AM
Poster Abstract
Background: The ventral tegmental area (VTA) contains dopamine-producing neurons projecting to various brain regions. VTA dysfunction is linked to addiction and depression. Delta opioid receptor upregulation relates to chronic pain, inflammation, cancer, and early adversity. Kappa receptors in the VTA influence stress, drug-seeking, mood, and reward. Notably, chronic substance abuse upregulates the κ-receptor/dynorphin system, and the opioid system regulates social interaction needs.
Hypothesis: Stress will upregulate opioid receptors.
Methods: We compared group-housed and individually-housed rats using stress tests, analyzing behavior and quantifying VTA opioid receptor expression.
Results: Social isolation upregulated delta and kappa opioid receptors in the VTA.
Conclusions: Chronic stress increases addiction vulnerability through altered opioid receptor expression.
Disciplines
Animal Structures | Behavioral Neurobiology | Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms | Laboratory and Basic Science Research | Medical Cell Biology | Medical Neurobiology | Medicine and Health Sciences | Nervous System | Substance Abuse and Addiction
Included in
Animal Structures Commons, Behavioral Neurobiology Commons, Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms Commons, Laboratory and Basic Science Research Commons, Medical Cell Biology Commons, Medical Neurobiology Commons, Nervous System Commons, Substance Abuse and Addiction Commons
Modulation of Opioid Receptor Expression in the Ventral Tegmental Area Following Stress Exposure in Rats
Background: The ventral tegmental area (VTA) contains dopamine-producing neurons projecting to various brain regions. VTA dysfunction is linked to addiction and depression. Delta opioid receptor upregulation relates to chronic pain, inflammation, cancer, and early adversity. Kappa receptors in the VTA influence stress, drug-seeking, mood, and reward. Notably, chronic substance abuse upregulates the κ-receptor/dynorphin system, and the opioid system regulates social interaction needs.
Hypothesis: Stress will upregulate opioid receptors.
Methods: We compared group-housed and individually-housed rats using stress tests, analyzing behavior and quantifying VTA opioid receptor expression.
Results: Social isolation upregulated delta and kappa opioid receptors in the VTA.
Conclusions: Chronic stress increases addiction vulnerability through altered opioid receptor expression.
