Abstract
Various biochemical and autoradiographic studies suggest a close association of opiate receptors with certain groups of primary sensory nerve fibres in the spinal cord and brainstem. The effect of deafferentation on autoradiographically-determined. stereospecific 3H-diprenorphine binding sites, in two afferent systems, the vagus nerve and the accessory optic system, was investigated in the rat. Vagotomies appreciably decreased the density of opiate receptors associated with the intramedullary portion of the vagus nerve, the solitary tract and its nucleus and nucleus ambiguus. Enucleation reduced the density of opiate receptors associated with the midbrain accessory optic tract and its nuclei. These results, plus other autoradiographic and biochemical evidence, suggest a rather specific presynaptic localization of some opiate receptors to small calibre and unmyelinated sensory fibres in some areas of the CNS.
Published Version
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