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An endogenous opioid alters neuronal plasticity to constrain cognitive flexibility

Molecular Psychiatry volume 28, pages 3146–3148 (2023)Cite this article

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A recent study by Yang, Lalchandani Tuan and colleagues has updated our understanding on how an endogenous opioid, Dynorphin (Dyn), modulates synaptic plasticity and shapes cognitive flexibility [1].

Cognitive flexibility is the capacity to aptly change one’s behavior according to a changing environment [2]. The ability to do this affords greater resilience to negative life events, including stress [3] and can enhance creativity in adulthood [4]. Traditionally, the balance between Dyn and the neuromodulator dopamine is key in regulation of flexible behavior. In the absence of dopamine, Dyn predominates resulting in behavioral inflexibility disorders like Parkinson’s disease [5]. However, in the absence of Dyn, there is excessive flexibility that can also be maladaptive. A recent study by Yang, Lalchandani Tuan and colleagues show a powerful role for the endogenous opioid, Dyn, in modulating cognitive flexibility and long-term neuron plasticity in the striatum [1], an entryway to the basal ganglia, which is a circuit involved in fine motor learning and reward processing.

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Acknowledgements

The author thanks Dr. Cali A Calarco for constructive feedback. This work was supported by NIH R01DA038613, R01DA047843, and R01MH106500 MKL and the University of Maryland School of Medicine Substance Use in Pregnancy Center.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA

    Jimmy Olusakin & Mary Kay Lobo

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA

    Mary Kay Lobo

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  1. Jimmy Olusakin
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  2. Mary Kay Lobo
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JO wrote the commentary’s first draft with input and revisions from MKL. JO and MKL reviewed and approved the final version.

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Correspondence to Mary Kay Lobo.

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Olusakin, J., Lobo, M.K. An endogenous opioid alters neuronal plasticity to constrain cognitive flexibility. Mol Psychiatry 28, 3146–3148 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-023-02204-x

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