Pain‐induced alterations in the dynorphinergic system within the mesocorticolimbic pathway: Implication for alcohol addiction. Issue 1 (7th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lorente, Jesús David; Cuitavi, Javier; Campos‐Jurado, Yolanda; Hipólito, Lucía
• Other Names: Tran Tuan guestEditor.; Leduc‐Pessah Heather guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of neuroscience research. Volume 100:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 165
• Page End: 182
• Publication Date: 2020-08-07
• Subjects: alcohol use disorder -- chronic pain -- dynorphin -- kappa opioid receptors -- reward -- stress; Neurobiology -- Periodicals; 612
• DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24703
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-4012

Abstract

Abstract: Latest studies have revealed that pain negatively impacts on reward processing and motivation leading to negative affective states and stress. These states not only reduce quality of life of patients by increasing the appearance of psychiatric comorbidities, but also have an important impact on vulnerability to drug abuse, including alcohol. In fact, clinical, epidemiological but also preclinical studies have revealed that the presence of pain is closely related to alcohol use disorders (AUDs). All this evidence suggests that pain is a factor that increases the risk of suffering AUD, predicting heavy drinking behavior and relapse drinking in those patients with a previous history of AUD. The negative consequences of chronic pain and its impact on stress and AUD are likely mediated by alterations in the central nervous system, especially in the stress and reward systems. Therefore, pain and stress impact on dopaminergic mesolimbic pathway can lead to an increase in drug abuse liability. In this mini review we analyze the interaction between pain, stress, and alcohol addiction, and how dynamic changes in the kappa opioid system might play a crucial role in the development of compulsive alcohol drinking in chronic pain patients.