FAAH selectively influences placebo effects.

ABSTRACT: Endogenous opioid and cannabinoid systems are thought to act synergistically regulating antinociceptive and reward mechanisms. To further understand the human implications of the interaction between these two systems, we investigated the role of the common, functional missense variant Pro129Thr of the gene coding fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the major degrading enzyme of endocannabinoids, on psychophysical and neurotransmitter (dopaminergic, opioid) responses to pain and placebo-induced analgesia in humans. FAAH Pro129/Pro129 homozygotes, who constitute nearly half of the population, reported higher placebo analgesia and more positive affective states immediately and 24 h after placebo administration; no effects on pain report in the absence of placebo were observed. Pro129/Pro129 ho

SUBMITTER: Pecina M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4222079 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature