| Abstrakt: |
Enkephalins and endorphins are naturally occurring polypeptides recently found in various parts of the brain. They have been shown to mimic the activity of morphine in isolated smooth-muscle preparations, opiate-receptor binding assays, and analgesic tests. There is currently considerable interest and speculation regarding the physiological role of these substances. Could they be the key to the long sought-after mechanisms of analgesia, tolerance, and drug dependence? Will they explain the analgesia seen with acupuncture and electrical stimulation of the brain? Is their inappropriate secretion or release associated with disease states? What eventual therapeutic opportunities will they provide?Workers in the field are so excited by their discoveries that one is reminded of the enthusiasm generated by the finding of the prostaglandins. Such enthusiasm was well demonstrated at the recent International Narcotics Research Conference (Marischal College, Aberdeen, Scotland, July 1976), where more than 35 papers dealing with these endogenous opiate-like substances were |
