The molecular nature and configuration of the opiate receptor is a problem under intensive investigation in a number of laboratories (1,2,3). Our interest in the problem developed as a result of a finding of others (4) that a proteolipid fraction from brain may be responsible for stereospecific opiate binding observed in various preparations of brain tissue. Upon examining various lipids, prote...

We have found opiate receptors enriched in two distinct subcellular fractions obtained from rat brain cellfree homogenates. By several criteria, one fraction contains synaptic plasma membranes, while the other represents predominantly smooth microsomes. Using marker enzyme analysis, we determined that the occurrence of opiate receptors in the smooth microsomal fraction cannot be attributed to ...

AIMS Accurate recognition of facial expressions of emotion is critical in interpersonal interaction but is impaired in alcoholics, even after a period of abstinence. Little is known of whether other drug-dependent populations also show these impairments. This study aimed to investigate facial expression recognition by chronic opiate users. DESIGN An independent group design was used to compar...

BACKGROUND There are an estimated 40,000 to 90,000 injection opiate users in Canada. The social, economic and health consequences of opiate addiction have been well documented. However, there are no data on the self-perceived health status of opiate users in Canada. Therefore, the goal of this research is to gain an understanding of the self-perceived health status of opiate users by comparing ...

As the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, glutamate plays an undisputable integral role in opiate addiction. This relates, in part, to the fact that addiction is a disorder of learning and memory, and glutamate is required for most types of memory formation. As opiate addiction develops, the addict becomes conditioned to engage in addictive behaviors, and these behaviors can be tri...

BACKGROUND/AIMS Opiate use for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly high-dose (HD) use, is associated with increased mortality. It's assumed that opiate use is directly related to IBD-related complaints, although this hasn't been well defined. Our goal was to determine the indications for opiate use as a first step in developing strategies to prevent or decrease opiate use. METHODS ...

Over the years, animal studies have revealed a role for the endocannabinoid system in the regulation of multiple aspects of opiate addiction. The current review provides an overview of this literature in regards to opiate withdrawal. The opiate withdrawal syndrome, hypothesized to act as a negative reinforcer in mediating continued drug use, can be characterized by the emergence of spontaneous ...