Stress-Related Neuropeptides and Addictive Behaviors: Beyond the Usual Suspects

Jesse R. Schank, Andrey E. Ryabinin, William J. Giardino, Roberto Ciccocioppo, Markus Heilig

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

89 Scopus citations

Abstract

Addictive disorders are chronic, relapsing conditions that cause extensive disease burden. Genetic factors partly account for susceptibility to addiction, but environmental factors such as stressful experiences and prolonged exposure of the brain to addictive drugs promote its development. Progression to addiction involves neuroadaptations within neurocircuitry that mediates stress responses and is influenced by several peptidergic neuromodulators. While corticotrophin releasing factor is the prototypic member of this class, recent work has identified several additional stress-related neuropeptides that play an important role in regulation of drug intake and relapse, including the urocortins, nociceptin, substance P, and neuropeptide S. Here, we review this emerging literature, discussing to what extent the properties of these neuromodulators are shared or distinct and considering their potential as drug targets.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)192-208
Number of pages17
JournalNeuron
Volume76
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 4 2012

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Stress-Related Neuropeptides and Addictive Behaviors: Beyond the Usual Suspects'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this