[Effect of opioid peptides, morphine and electroacupuncture on the neuronal activity of the sensorimotor cortex and brain stem reticular formation].

Experiments were made on unanesthetized rabbits and cats to examine the neuronal response (the sensomotor cortex, mesencephalic reticular formation, giant cell reticular nucleus of the medulla oblongata) to microapplications of enkephalins, endorphins, morphine, and electroacupuncture. Opiate peptides, morphine, and electroacupuncture produced similar, unidirectional changes in both spontaneous and nociceptive-stimulated neuronal activity. Naloxone removed these reactions. It is assumed that in the brain structures under study, the electroacupuncture effects are mediated by opiate receptors and are linked with enkephalin and endorphin release.