deltorphin and Epilepsy

The effects of intracerebroventricular administration of dermorphin (mu agonist) and dermenkephalin (delta agonist) were studied at the electrocorticographic (ECoG) and electromyographic (EMG) levels in free-moving rats. A very low dose of dermorphin (125 pmol) induced ECoG spiking, occasional myoclonic jerks, wet-dog shakes and catalepsy. In addition, electrical seizures were triggered with doses of 250 to 500 pmol. These signs were reversed by an i.p. injection of naloxone (1 mg kg-1). However, no epileptic-like phenomena were seen after administration of dermenkephalin up to 1 nmol. These results indicate that mu but not delta receptors are involved in the epileptogenic effect of intraventricularly administered opiates.

Topics: Animals; Cerebral Cortex; Cerebral Ventricles; Electroencephalography; Electromyography; Epilepsy; In Vitro Techniques; Injections, Intraventricular; Oligopeptides; Opioid Peptides; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains