title: Distribution of mu-opioid receptors in the nucleus raphe magnus and nucleus gigantocellularis: a quantitative autoradiographic study.
abstract: The present study has described and quantitated the distribution of mu-opioid receptors in the nucleus raphe magnus (NRM) and nucleus gigantocellularis (NGC), using in vitro autoradiography. Moderately dense binding of a mu-enkephalin analog, DAGO, was observed in the NRM and adjacent parts of the NGC. DAGO binding density was greatest in the anterior NRM, possibly due to a greater involvement in the descending, opiate-mediated modulation of nociception. These findings agree with proposed roles for this region in the central regulation of pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy, Pharmacology, and Physiology, Washington State University, Pullman 99164-6520.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bowker
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Dilts
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D020875:Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; D004745:Enkephalins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000032:analysis*; D011903:Raphe Nuclei / Q000032:analysis*; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000032:analysis*; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu
chemical_list: D004745:Enkephalins; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu; D020875:Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-