Evidence that the substantia nigra is a component of the endogenous pain suppression system in the rat

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-26-1988

Abstract

The present study sought to determine whether opiate receptors in the substantia nigra may mediate antinociception produced by systemic morphine. Bilateral intranigral microinjection of naloxone-HCl (0.3-10 μg) suppressed the antinociceptive effects of systemically administered morphine sulfate (5 mg/kg, s.c.) on the tail-flick and hot-plate tests in a dose-related manner. Injection of naloxone (3 μg) into the ventral tegmental area did not alter antinociception produced by systemic morphine (5 mg/kg, s.c.). These findings support the argument that the substantia nigra is an essential, and previously unrecognized, component of the endogenous pain suppression system. © 1988.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Brain Research

First Page

116

Last Page

121

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