This review represents the focus of a symposium that was presented at the “Alcoholism and
Stress: A Framework for Future Treatment Strategies” conference in Volterra, Italy on May 3 …

Evidence has demonstrated that dynorphin (DYN) and the kappa opioid receptor (KOR)
system contribute to various psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, depression, and …

The dynorphin/kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system is implicated in the “dark side” of
addiction, in which stress exacerbates maladaptive responses to drug and alcohol …

Background The dynorphin (DYN)/kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) system undergoes
neuroadaptations following chronic alcohol exposure that promote excessive operant self …

The kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) is the primary target for the endogenous opioid peptide
dynorphin (DYN), and KORs reside within brain circuitry underlying the complex integration …

Acute ethanol exposure is known to stimulate the dopamine system; however, chronic
exposure has been shown to downregulate the dopamine system. In rodents, chronic …

Drug addiction is a complex, persistent, and chronically relapsing neurological disorder
exacerbated by acute and chronic stress. It is well known that the dynorphin/kappa opioid …

Substance use disorders represent a global public health issue. This mental health disorder
is hypothesized to result from neurobiological changes as a result of chronic drug exposure …

Alcoholism is a pervasive social problem, and thus understanding factors that regulate
alcohol (ethanol) reward is important for designing effective therapies. One putative …

The role of kappa‐opioid receptors (KOR) in the regulation of alcohol‐related behaviors is
not completely understood. For example, alcohol consumption has been reported to …