Endogenous opioid receptors and the feast or famine of maladaptive feeding

Abstract Maladaptive feeding comprises unhealthy eating patterns that jeopardize survival, including over- and underconsumption. These behaviors are often coordinated by endogenous opioid receptors (EORs). Here, we explore the involvement of EORs in obesity and anorexia nervosa (AN), two disorders a...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ames K. Sutton Hickey, Bridget A. Matikainen-Ankney
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57515-0
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Summary:Abstract Maladaptive feeding comprises unhealthy eating patterns that jeopardize survival, including over- and underconsumption. These behaviors are often coordinated by endogenous opioid receptors (EORs). Here, we explore the involvement of EORs in obesity and anorexia nervosa (AN), two disorders associated with dysregulated feeding behavior and relevant animal models. While seemingly opposing metabo-psychiatric states, our goal is to highlight common circuit and synaptic mechanisms underlying obesity and AN with a focus on EOR functionality. We examine the neural substrates underlying maladaptive feeding and comorbid conditions including pain, suggesting a role for EOR-driven plasticity in the pathogenesis of both obesity and AN.
ISSN:2041-1723