Open access
Date
2011-03-16Type
- Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
Recent findings suggest that pain and pleasure share common neurochemical circuits, and studies in animals and humans show that opioid-mediated descending pathways can inhibit or facilitate pain. We explored the role of endogenous opioid neurotransmission in pleasure-related analgesia. μ-Opioidergic activity was blocked with 0.2 mg/kg naloxone to assess its effects on hedonic responses to pleasant emotional pictures (International Affective Picture System) and its modulating effects on heat pain tolerance. Naloxone did not alter subjective and autonomous reactions to pleasure induction or overall mood of participants. In addition, pleasure-related increases in pain tolerance persisted after reversal of endogenous μ-opioidergic neurotransmission. Subjective pain intensity and unpleasantness ratings increased after naloxone administration. These findings suggest that, in addition to opioid-sensitive circuits, mainly opioid-insensitive pain-modulating circuits are activated during pleasure-related analgesia. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-a-006783528Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
The Journal of NeuroscienceVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
Society for NeuroscienceOrganisational unit
02803 - Collegium Helveticum / Collegium Helveticum
03325 - Folkers, Gerd (emeritus)
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ETH Bibliography
yes
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