μ-Opioid receptor availability in the amygdala is associated with smoking for negative affect relief.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

The perception that smoking relieves negative affect contributes to smoking persistence. Endogenous opioid neurotransmission, and the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) in particular, plays a role in affective regulation and is modulated by nicotine.

Objectives

We examined the relationship of MOR binding availability in the amygdala to the motivation to smoke for negative affect relief and to the acute effects of smoking on affective responses.

Methods

Twenty-two smokers were scanned on two separate occasions after overnight abstinence using [¹¹C]carfentanil positron emission tomography imaging: after smoking a nicotine-containing cigarette and after smoking a denicotinized cigarette. Self-reports of smoking motives were collected at baseline, and measures of positive

SUBMITTER: Falcone M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3670416 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature