Mu/delta opioid site selectivity of some antidepressants.

Since pain and depression are influenced by opioids and antidepressants, it was of interest to explore their interaction with common CNS receptors. A method for binding site selectivity was used to evaluate antidepressant specificities in inhibiting mu versus delta opioid binding. With the very specific opioid probes used, DAGO and DPDPE, a wide range of antidepressant selectivities was found. These may represent different modes of interaction between mu and delta opioid sites and antidepressant compounds.