A correlation analysis of the regional distribution of central enkephalin and β-endorphin immunoreactive terminals and of opiate receptors in adult and old male rats. Evidence for the existence of two main types of communication in the central nervous system: the volume transmission and the wiring transmission |
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Authors: | L. F. AGNATI K. FUXE M. ZOLI I. OZINI G. TOFFANO F. FERRAGUTI |
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Abstract: | By means of semiquantitative immunocytochemistry and quantitative receptor autoradiography a correlation analysis has been performed on the pre- and post-synaptic features of enkephalin andβ-endorphin immunoreactive neuron systems of the 3- and 24-month-old male rat. A parallel disappearance of enkephalin- andβ-endorphin-like immunoreactivity and of the density of mu and delta opiate receptors is shown during ageing. Furthermore, the lack of an overall correlation between the amount of pre- and post-synaptic components of the enkephalin andβ-endorphin synapses give evidence for the existence of a volume type of transmission in such systems in the telencephalic, diencephalic and mesencephalic areas analysed. |
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Keywords: | brain,β -endorphin enkephalin opiate receptors volume transmission |
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