Inhibition of phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase and brain-stimulated reward.
The centrally active inhibitors of phenylethanolamine-N-methyl transferase (PNMT; E.C. 2.1.1.28), the terminal enzyme for epinephrine biosynthesis in the brain, produced dose-related decreases in rats of responding for rewarding brain stimulation in adult male rats. Decreases occurred at dosages that did not produce measurable neurologic impairment. This suggests a possible role for central epinephrine-containing neurons in the maintenance of reward-mediated behaviors.
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D051381:Rats; D012201:Reward; D012653:Self Stimulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors
D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase; D004837:Epinephrine