beta-Endorphin induces nonconvulsive limbic seizures.
The endogenous opioid peptide, beta-endorphin, induces nonconvulsive limbic epileptiform activity when administered intraventricularly to rats. Epileptiform activity is elicited by beta-endorphin in doses that are devoid of analgesic or behavioral signs. Equimolar intraventricular doses of morphine or of the enkephalin analog [DAIa2,Met5]enkephalin-NH2 fail to elicit this limbic epileptiform activity. These observations, together with the recent immunohistochemical localization of beta-endorphin to midline limbic structures, suggest that beta-endorphin may have an important role in the regulation of limbic excitability.
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004723:Endorphins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004745:Enkephalins / Q000494:pharmacology; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D008032:Limbic System / Q000187:drug effects*; D009020:Morphine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced*
D004723:Endorphins; D004745:Enkephalins; D009270:Naloxone; D009020:Morphine