Brain endorphins: possible role in reward and memory formation.
A role for enkephalin in the mediation of behavioral reinforcement is supported by several lines of evidence: i) central injections of enkephalin serve as reinforcement for self-administration behavior, ii) electrical stimulation of many enkephalin-rich regions serves as reinforcement for self-stimulation behavior, which is blocked by moderate doses of naloxone, and iii) long-term retention of a passive avoidance response is facilitated by immediate post-learning injections of methionine-enkephalin and morphine.
D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004723:Endorphins / Q000502:physiology*; D004745:Enkephalins / Q000502:physiology*; D005917:Globus Pallidus / Q000502:physiology; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000502:physiology; D012201:Reward; D012653:Self Stimulation / Q000502:physiology
D004723:Endorphins; D004745:Enkephalins; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D009270:Naloxone