Protagonist Role of Opioidergic System on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Associated Pain

Overview

Journal Psychiatry Investig

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 2020 Jun 5

PMID 32492768

Citations 1

Authors

Marjan Nikbakhtzadeh

Fatemeh Mohtashami Borzadaran

Elham Zamani

Mohammad Shabani

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain often co-occur. Studies have shown an interaction between pain and PTSD. In this narrative review, we aim to support conducting comprehensive studies by describing PTSD, pain and determining whether opioidergic system, its agonist and antagonist manipulation could positively or negatively affect PTSD symptoms and concurrent pain.

Methods: Term searches was done in Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science and PubMed databases as well as hand searching in key resource journals from 1979-2019.

Results: There are a lot of contradictions and disputes when endogenous opioidergic system and opioidergic antagonist system are studied in PTSD patients. Exogenous morphine administration in PTSD patients can decrease the symptoms of PTSD but it doesn't have a pain reduction effect to an acceptable level. Beta-endorphin as an endogenous opioid is effective in pain reduction in the moment of events but after minutes to hours, the endorphins withdrawal syndrome leads to exaggerated intrusive thoughts and flashbacks of PTSD, which exacerbate the pain. It has also been shown that naloxone, as an opioidergic antagonist, can reduce or increase the PTSD symptoms and its associated pain.

Conclusion: Data suggest different roles of opioidergic system and their antagonist in pain control and mood in PTSD. However, further investigations need to be done in order to reveal the role of endogenous opioidergic system and opioidergic antagonist system as a mediator in PTSD patients suffering from acute or chronic pain.

Citing Articles

Novel Pharmacological Targets of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders.

Marazziti D, Carmassi C, Cappellato G, Chiarantini I, Massoni L, Mucci F Life (Basel). 2023; 13(8).

PMID: 37629588 PMC: 10455314. DOI: 10.3390/life13081731.

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