Influence of Opioid Peptides on Learning and Memory Processes in the Chick

Teresa A. Patterson, Gery Schulteis, Maria C. Alvarado, Joe L. Martinez, Edward L. Bennett, Mark R. Rosenzweig, Victor J. Hruby

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

Several experiments were conducted to examine the effects of intracranial injection of opioid peptides and antagonists on learning and memory in the chick. Pretraining injection of [leu5]enkephalin and the selective delta receptor agonist [D-Pen2, L-Pen5]enkephalin (DPLPE) into the intermediate medial hyperstriatum ventrale (IMHV) produced impairment. ICI 174,864, a delta-selective antagonist, reversed the impairment produced by either [leu5]enkephalin or DPLPE, results indicating that delta receptors may play a role in learning in the chick and suggesting that the impairment produced by [leu5]enkephalin is mediated through delta opioid receptors. β-endorphin produced a naloxone-reversible impairment in performance, which suggests that this impairment is mediated by opioid receptors. Bilateral injection of β-endorphin into the IMHV produced impairment, as did unilateral injection into the right, but not left, IMHV. Only bilateral injections into IMHV of [leu5]enkephalin were effective. These results suggest that the effects of β-endorphin are centrally mediated whereas the effects of [leu5]enkephalin may be localized to other brain regions or are peripherally mediated. These initial results suggest that opioids are associated with learning and memory in the chick.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)429-437
Number of pages9
JournalBehavioral Neuroscience
Volume103
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1989

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Behavioral Neuroscience

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