@article{ref1,
title="Imaging corticotropin-releasing-factor and nociceptin in addiction and PTSD models",
journal="International review of psychiatry",
year="2017",
author="Tollefson, Savannah and Himes, Michael and Narendran, Rajesh",
volume="29",
number="6",
pages="567-579",
abstract="Addiction is composed of three phases: intoxication, withdrawal, and craving. Negative reinforcement, strengthening a behaviour by removing an aversive stimulus, has been associated with the withdrawal phase. An imbalance of neurotransmitters within the brain's stress (nociceptin, neuropeptide Y) and anti-stress (CRF, norepinephrine, etc.) system is attributed to negatively reinforced compulsive behaviours associated with relapse. Similarly, post-traumatic stress disorder is characterized by an overactive stress system. In a PTSD mouse model, rodents exhibited impaired cued-fear memory consolidation when nociceptin transmission was blocked. Furthermore, a single-nucleotide polymorphism has been identified between women diagnosed with PTSD and the severity of PTSD symptoms, suggesting a genetic basis. Therefore, it is critical to understand the functions and interactions between the brain's stress and anti-stress neurotransmitters, specifically nociceptin. This paper will examine the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis, evaluate the functions of corticotropin-releasing-factor and nociceptin, discuss nociceptin's role as an anxiolytic or anxiogenic, and discuss PET-imaging studies-all of which targeted nociceptin receptors (NOP-R). Finally, the discussion of pharmacological interventions will be proposed as preventative or therapeutic treatments for those suffering from PTSD and substance-use disorders.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0954-0261",
doi="10.1080/09540261.2017.1404445",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2017.1404445"
}