Alterations of immunoreactive beta-endorphin in the third ventricular fluid in response to electrical stimulation of the human periaqueductal gray matter.
Immunoreactive beta-endorphin in the third ventricular fluid was measured in response to electrical stimulation of the periaqueductal gray matter in 8 patients with intractable pain during rostral mesencephalic reticulotomy for pain relief. In all patients, marked increase of immunoreactive beta-endorphin was observed. On the other hand, in cases of electrical stimulation of the zona incerta performed during stereoencephalotomy, in 5 patients with involuntary movement, immunoreactive beta-endorphin in the third ventricular fluid did not show any significant change. The authors conclude that the increase of immunoreactive beta-endorphin on electrical stimulation of the periaqueductal gray matter is not a nonspecific response to brain stimulation but a specific response in regard to cerebral localization of endorphins. Direct correlation between pain relief and periaqueductal gray stimulation is also questioned.
D000328:Adult; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000276:immunology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D004723:Endorphins / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000628:therapy; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D001615:beta-Endorphin
D004723:Endorphins; D001615:beta-Endorphin