This proposal is focused on studying the newly discovered Orphanin/Nociceptin system (OFQ system), a new peptidergic system, evolutionarily related to the endogenous opioids but exhibiting distinct biochemical, anatomical and functional properties. The working hypothesis is that the OFQ systems plays a role in the regulation of the biology of stress responsiveness, the biology of reward mechanisms, and the interactions between stress and reward mechanisms as they impact on drug-related behavior. This hypothesis is based on several lines of anatomical and functional evidence gathered to date. However, much remains to be learned about some of the fundamental features of this system before pursuing these functional questions. Thus, this application proposes to determine whether stress (novelty and restraint) regulates OFQ or its associated receptor, ORL1, in particular brain regions, and to ascertain the ability of OFQ in these stress-sensitive regions to modulate the limbic- hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (LHPA) axis) (Aim I). It explores the anatomical features of the OFQ system in the context of the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system, where it appears to be highly expressed, and addresses the issue of whether or not OFQ and ORL1 are present within dopaminergic neurons, and whether they are located in circuits which could modulate dopaminergic transmission (Aim II). Finally, in the context of the above circuits, it examines the way this system is modulated by chronic administration of opiates and psychostimulants under conditions which lead to sensitization to these drugs. In turn, it asks whether OFQ is able to alter the course of drug sensitization in stressful and non-stressful conditions (Aim III). A combination of molecular, anatomical, and behavioral tools will be used to address these questions. Together, these studies will not only shed light on the functioning of this novel peptidergic system, but will also provide new insights on the important interface between stress mechanisms, dopaminergic mechanisms, and substance abuse.
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