The Role of Kappa-Opioid Receptor/Dynorphin System in Modulating Neural-Circuits of Depression and Anxiety-A Review.

Authors

Cristian Ciotei, Horia Păunescu, Cristina Lungu, Adriana-Alexandra Marica, Mihai Florin Tănase, Ruxandra-Cristina Marin, Mihnea Costescu, Ion Fulga, Oana Andreia Coman

Published in

Journal of cellular and molecular medicine. Volume 30. Issue 19. Pages e71392.

Abstract

Major depression and anxiety disorders are psychiatric disorders that involve a great number of people. There is a growing need for new and better pharmacological treatments for these diseases. Kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) antagonists seem to be a promising new pathway for the development of new antidepressants and anxiolytics, but a great challenge is understanding how the various neural circuits work and to what degree they are influenced by KOR modulators. This narrative review is focussed on two main circuits: the Hippocampus-Amygdala-Prefrontal Cortex and the Ventral Tegmental Area-Nucleus Accumbens. The relevant neuroanatomy, their role in modulating behaviour and how KOR modulators can alleviate these diseases are discussed. Concluding, a more holistic understanding of the circuits influenced by the KOR/Dyn system is relevant for developing new therapies. In non-clinical pharmacology addressed to the KOR/Dyn system, variables such as age, sex and social hierarchy rank can influence experimental outcomes.

PMID:
42839386
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 07 Oct 2026.

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