05 May 2005 : Short communication
Placebo neural systems: nitric oxide, morphine and the dopamine brain reward and motivation circuitries
Gregory Fricchione, George B. StefanoMed Sci Monit 2005; 11(5): MS54-65 :: ID: 16166
Abstract
Evidence suggests that the placebo response is related to the tonic effects of constitutive nitric oxide in neural, vascular and immune tissues. Constitutive nitric oxide levels play a role in the modulation of dopamine outflow in the nigrostriatal movement and the mesolimbic and mesocortical reward and motivation circuitries. Endogenous morphine, which stimulates constitutive nitric oxide, may be an important signal molecule working at mu receptors on gamma aminobutyric acid B interneurons to disinhibit nigral and tegmental dopamine output. We surmise that placebo induced belief will activate the prefrontal cortex with downstream stimulatory effects on these dopamine systems as well as on periaqueductal grey opioid output neurons. Placebo responses in Parkinson’s disease, depression and pain disorder may result. In addition, mesolimbic/mesocortical control of the stress response systems may provide a way for the placebo response to benefit other medical conditions.
Keywords: Anxiety, Separation - physiopathology, Anxiety, Separation - psychology, Anxiety, Separation - therapy, Depression - therapy, Relaxation - physiology, Relaxation - psychology, Anxiety, Separation - therapy, Brain - physiology, Depression - therapy, Dopamine - physiology, Models, Neurological, Models, Psychological, Morphine - metabolism, Motivation, Nitric Oxide - physiology, Pain - psychology, pain management, Parkinson Disease - therapy, Placebo Effect, Relaxation - psychology, Reward, Stress, Physiological - psychology
Editorial
04 June 2022 : Editorial
Editorial: Acute Hepatitis of Unknown Origin in Children. Is Autoimmunity at Play?DOI: 10.12659/MSM.937371
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937371
SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19
27 June 2022 : Clinical Research
Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) in 16 Patients Following COVID-19 Vaccination Who...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.937430
04 June 2022 : Clinical Research
Screening for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Students at the Medical University of Warsaw, Poland Between November...Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e936962
30 May 2022 : Clinical Research
Effects of Wearing Face Masks on Exercise Capacity and Ventilatory Anaerobic Threshold in Healthy Subjects ...Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e936069
27 May 2022 : Clinical Research
Factors Associated with Falls During Hospitalization for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e936547
In Press
30 Jun 2022 : Clinical Research
Antioxidant System and Ions Concentrations After Femoral Neck and Resurfacing Hip ArthroplastyMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.936335
28 Jun 2022 : Meta-Analysis
Urodynamics in Early Diagnosis of Diabetic Bladder Dysfunction in Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.937166
28 Jun 2022 : Clinical Research
Serum Calprotectin – a NET Product – as a Biomarker of Disease Activity in Patients with Systemic Lupus Ery...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.936534
28 Jun 2022 : Database Analysis
LINC00963 May Be Associated with a Poor Prognosis in Patients with Cervical CancerMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.935070
Most Viewed Current Articles
30 Dec 2021 : Clinical Research
Retrospective Study of Outcomes and Hospitalization Rates of Patients in Italy with a Confirmed Diagnosis o...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935379
Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e935379
08 Mar 2022 : Review article
A Review of the Potential Roles of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Pharmacological Approaches for the Man...DOI :10.12659/MSM.936292
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e936292
01 Nov 2020 : Review article
Long-Term Respiratory and Neurological Sequelae of COVID-19DOI :10.12659/MSM.928996
Med Sci Monit 2020; 26:e928996
01 Jan 2022 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952