Astrocyte-derived extracellular vesicle-mediated activation of primary ciliary signaling contributes to the development of morphine tolerance

Morphine is used extensively in the clinical setting owing to its beneficial effects, such as pain relief; its therapeutic utility is limited as the prolonged use of morphine often results in tolerance and addiction. Astrocytes in the brain are a direct target of morphine action and play an essential role in the development of morphine tolerance. Primary cilia and the cilia-mediated sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathways have been shown to play a role in drug resistance and morphine tolerance, respectively.
Source: Biological Psychiatry - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Archival Report Source Type: research