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
01 May 2022 : Editorial
Editorial: Cardiovascular Complications at One Year After SARS-CoV-2 Infection are Independent of Underlying Cardiovascular Risk Factors or Severity of COVID-19DOI: 10.12659/MSM.937048
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937048
SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19
24 May 2022 : Clinical Research
Screening for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Students at the Medical University of Warsaw, Poland Between November...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.936962
04 May 2022 : Clinical Research
Effects of Wearing Face Masks on Exercise Capacity and Ventilatory Anaerobic Threshold in Healthy Subjects ...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.936069
27 May 2022 : Clinical Research
Factors Associated with Falls During Hospitalization for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e936547
25 May 2022 : Meta-Analysis
Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Serum Vitamin D Levels in People Under Age 18 Years: A Systematic Review...Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935823
In Press
27 May 2022 : Clinical Research
Prognostic Significance of Preoperative Integrated Liver Inflammatory Score in Patients with Hepatocellular...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.937005
25 May 2022 : Review article
Narrative Review of the Mechanism of Hip Prosthesis Dislocation and Methods to Reduce the Risk of DislocationMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.935665
24 May 2022 : Clinical Research
Remimazolam Tosilate Sedation with Adjuvant Sufentanil in Chinese Patients with Liver Cirrhosis Undergoing ...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.936580
24 May 2022 : Clinical Research
Screening for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Students at the Medical University of Warsaw, Poland Between November...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.936962
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