PDYN and Anxiety: While some studies implicate a positive role for the dynorphin/KOR system in anxiety-like behavior (Knoll et al., 2007; Wittmann et al., 2009), other studies have reported that the dynorphin/KOR system decreases anxiety-like behavior (Kudryavtseva et al., 2004; Bilkei-Gorzo et al., 2008).