Evidence for endogenous opioid release in the amygdala during positive emotion

Endogenous opioid release has been linked to relief from aversive emotional memories, thereby promoting a euphoric state and subsequent interactions towards social stimuli resulting in the formation of social preferences. However, this theory remains controversial. Using positron emission tomography...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:NeuroImage (Orlando, Fla.) Fla.), 2009, Vol.44 (1), p.252-256
Main Authors: Koepp, M.J., Hammers, A., Lawrence, A.D., Asselin, M.C., Grasby, P.M., Bench, C.J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Amygdala
Amygdala - physiology
Behavior
Brain Mapping
Decision making
Emotions
Emotions - physiology
Female
Humans
Hypotheses
Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
Male
Middle Aged
Mood induction
Opioid peptides
Opioid Peptides - metabolism
Pain
PET
Positron-Emission Tomography
Studies
Citations: Items that cite this one
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Summary:Endogenous opioid release has been linked to relief from aversive emotional memories, thereby promoting a euphoric state and subsequent interactions towards social stimuli resulting in the formation of social preferences. However, this theory remains controversial. Using positron emission tomography and [ 11C]diprenorphine (DPN) in healthy volunteers, we found significantly reduced DPN binding to opioid receptor in the hippocampus during positive mood induction compared to neutral mood. Furthermore, the magnitude of positive mood change correlated negatively with DPN binding in the amygdala bilaterally. Our finding of reduced DPN binding is consistent with increased release of endogenous opioids, providing direct evidence that localised release of endogenous opioids is involved in the regulation of positive emotion in humans.
ISSN:1053-8119
1095-9572
DOI:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2008.08.032