"Opioid Receptors Crucial for Gut Nervous System Development"

Researchers at Rice University have discovered that opioid receptors play a crucial role in the development of the enteric nervous system (ENS) in the gut, challenging the traditional view of these receptors as solely related to pain and addiction. Using zebrafish embryos, the study found that disrupting opioid receptors affects the migration and maturation of gut neurons, potentially leading to new treatments for congenital digestive disorders.