Anxiety nociceptin

Nociceptin (orphanin FQ) is a novel neuropeptide whose actions have yet to be completely elucidated. However, stimulation of the nociceptin receptor has been implicated in the modulation of many neurobehavioral processes, including pain, substance dependence, sexual behavior, anxiety, locomotor activity, learning capacity, memory, and adaptation to stressful stimulus [1-6]. Continued research in this area has the potential to lead to a new class of drugs for pain medicine and beyond. 

The relatively recent discovery of the neuropeptide nociceptin/orphanin FQ, and its receptor system, offers the possibility of future treatment modahties in the field of pain medicine. As described, this system can play a role in pain rebel, anxiolysis, and substance abuse associated with opioids, and other central-acting drugs. Although much research remains, these potential effects with regard to pain, anxiety, and substance abuse, as web as numerous other systemic effects, encourage further work in the area. 

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