Nociceptin/orphanin FQ and drugs of abuse

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (NC) binds with high affinity to the opioid receptor -like 1 (ORL1) receptor. NC has been reported to block opioid-induced supra spinal analgesia, and it has been proposed that it may represent a function al antiopioid peptide in the control of brain nociceptive processes. The wi de distribution of NC and of its receptors in the central nervous system su ggests, however, that it may be involved in the control of a variety of bio logic functions. Increasing evidence indicates that it may influence the re warding and reinforcing properties of drugs of abuse. NC has been shown to abolish the rewarding properties of ethanol and morphine in the place condi tioning paradigm, to reduce ethanol consumption in alcohol-preferring rats and to inhibit stress-induced alcohol-seeking behavior. These findings sugg est that drugs directed at central NC receptors may represent an interestin g approach to the treatment of ethanol and opiate abuse. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.