Opioid-Induced Regulation of Cortical Circular-_011731 Is Associated with Regulation of Sponge Target .

Opioid use induces neurobiological adaptations throughout mesolimbic brain regions, such as the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), which mediates decision-making and emotional-cognitive regulation. Previously, we showed that a circular RNA (circRNA) species, rno__011731 (), is upregulated in the OFC of rats following chronic self-administration (SA) of the opioid heroin. is derived from , which encodes the regulatory subunit of the glutamate ionotropic NMDA receptor, GluN2B.

Neuroinflammatory history results in overlapping transcriptional signatures with heroin exposure in the nucleus accumbens and alters responsiveness to heroin in male rats.

Recent progress in psychiatric research has highlighted neuroinflammation in the pathophysiology of opioid use disorder (OUD), suggesting that heightened immune responses in the brain may exacerbate opioid-related mechanisms. However, the molecular mechanisms resulting from neuroinflammation that impact opioid-induced behaviors and transcriptional pathways remain poorly understood. In this study, we have begun to address this critical knowledge gap by exploring the intersection between neuroinflammation and exposure to the opioid heroin, utilizing lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation, to investigate transcriptional changes in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), an essential region in the mesolimbic dopamine system that mediates opioid reward.

Psilocybin reduces heroin seeking behavior and modulates inflammatory gene expression in the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex of male rats.

Preclinical and human studies indicate psilocybin may reduce perseverant maladaptive behaviors, including nicotine and alcohol seeking. Such studies in the opioid field are lacking, though opioids are involved in >50% of overdose deaths. Psilocybin is an agonist at the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HTR), a well-documented target for modulation of drug seeking, and evidence suggests 5-HTR agonists may dampen motivation for opioids.

Psilocybin reduces heroin seeking behavior and modulates inflammatory gene expression in the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex of male rats.

Preclinical and human studies indicate psilocybin may reduce perseverant maladaptive behaviors, including nicotine and alcohol seeking. Such studies in the opioid field are lacking, though opioids are involved in more >50% of overdose deaths. Psilocybin is an agonist at the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HTR), a well-documented target for modulation of drug seeking, and evidence suggests 5-HTR agonists may dampen motivation for opioids.