Abstract

Opioid addiction is a global public health crisis that resulted from well-intentioned efforts by physicians to improve pain control in the 1990s. The lack of knowledge about the addictive tendencies of opioids have led to what is now known as the opioid epidemic that is causing a significant economic and social burden worldwide. Research has primarily focused on the behavioral components of addiction but has recently turned to examining the role of neurons and glial cells in regulating addiction. Glial cells have been shown to alter opioid pharmacodynamics through a proinflammatory response, ultimately leading to excitotoxicity, disruption of neural homeostasis, and hypersensitivity to pain.It is hypothesized that restoring the neuroprotective capacity of glial cells through targeted therapies will prevent further degeneration of neurons during chronic opioid abuse [1 ]. Nanoparticle delivery systems are a valuable tool in the fight against addiction due to their ability to carry a variety of payloads, penetrate biological membranes, and release the payload in a controlled manner. This perspective provides insight into the cellular mechanisms of addiction, adjusting our focus to highlight the role of glial cells in regulating opioid efficacy and the impact of addiction . Additionally, we discuss different pathways by which nanotherapeutics can be optimized to target and increase the neuroprotection of glial cells to reduce the burden caused by Opioid toxicity in people with chronic opiod