title: Opiate receptor binding in the brain of the seizure sensitive Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus).
abstract: Opiate receptor binding was studied in seizure sensitive (SS) and seizure resistant (SR) strains of the Mongolian gerbil. Cryostat sections of the brain were labeled with [3H]-dihydromorphine, subjected to autoradiography and analysed by microdensitometry. SS gerbils, prior to seizure induction, demonstrated overall greater brain opiate binding when compared to SR animals. Immediately following a seizure, binding in the interpeduncular nucleus fell to levels found in SR animals. The increased opiate binding in the SS (pre-seizure) compared to SR gerbils could reflect a deficit of endogenous ligand which could underlie the seizure diathesis in the gerbil.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D004723:Endorphins / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005849:Gerbillinae; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000378:metabolism*; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D011957:Receptors, Opioid