Effects of naloxone, metenkephalin, and morphine on phencyclidine-induced behavior in the rat

Neuropharmacological profile of aqueous extract of Anaphe venata larva (Notondotidae) in rats

Consumption of Anaphe larva had been reported to cause seasonal ataxia and impaired consciousness. Therefore this study examined the neuropharmacological and mechanism(s) of action of aqueous extract of Anaphe venata in rats. Behavioural effects namely rearing, stretching, sniffing and ataxia were determined after the intraperitoneal administration of aqueous extract of Anaphe larva in rats. Animals were divided into groups and graded doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, i.p.) of extract were administered. The control group was administered normal saline (vehicle). The effects of scopolamine (3 mg/kg, i.p.), flumazenil (2 mg/kg, i.p.), naloxone (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.), and thiamine (1 mg/kg, i.p.) on the observed behavioral changes were also examined. The effects of the extract administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 200 mg/kg on the amphetamine-induced stereotypy and locomotion were evaluated. Aqueous anaphe extract induced significant (p< 0.01) stretching and ataxia behavioural effects while it inhibited rearing behaviour when compared with the vehicle-treated group. However, it had no significant effect on sniffing behaviour. Scopolamine reversed all the effects of the extract on rearing, stretching and ataxia. Both Flumazenil and naloxone only reversed the effects of the extract on stretching and ataxia-induced behaviours significantly. However, thiamine potentiated both stretching and ataxia-induced behaviours. The extract inhibited the amphetamine-induced stereotype behaviour and locomotion. In conclusion, these results showed that these anaphe-induced behavioural effects are mediated via cholinergic, GABAergic, opioidergic and dopaminergic receptor systems with strong muscarinic-cholinergic receptors involvement in ataxia-induced behaviour. We therefore suggest that muscranic-cholinergic like drugs may be of benefit in the management of patients that present with clinical condition of seasonal ataxia.

Synthesis and characterization of phencyclidine and his derivatives

Phencyclidine (PCP) or 1-phenyl-cyclohexylpiperidine is the best known representative drug from the compound class of arylcyclohexylamines. On an account of pharmacological activities it belongs to the family of drugs known as a dissociative anesthetics. In recent years, great attention has been paid to the investigation of the substances that have been abused, including PCP. PCP is the synthetic drug with stimulant and hallucinogens effects (street name ?angel dust?) and it's situated on the Schedule Substances List, in Serbia and worldwide. In the beginning, PCP has been sold in pharmacies as local anesthetic, but very quickly it was pulled from sale because of the unwanted effects on consumer?s health causing psychoactive addiction. Taking into the account that today a great attention has been given to the substances that are subject of abuse, in this paper, biological and pharmacological effect of PCP and it's derivative is described. It is shown that PCP is antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and that it causes antiglutamateric hallucinations. Unlike BTCP which agonist is NMDA receptor and is obtained by modifying the structure of PCP. This paper presents a PCP metabolism and provides an overview of the methods for their identification and quantification in the biological samples. Immunological tests of PCP in the biological samples can provide a quick but wrong result because of the possible interference with the other substances of abuse as opposed to instrumental methods. Based on the presented method and the results it was concluded that the method of choice for the examinations of biological samples for the presence of PCP is gas chromatography in combination with mass spectroscopy.

Brain levels of neuropeptides in human chronic methamphetamine users

Animal data show that neuropeptide systems in the dopamine-rich brain areas of the striatum (caudate, putamen, and nucleus accumbens) are influenced by exposure to psychostimulants, suggesting that neuropeptides are involved in mediating aspects of behavioral responses to drugs of abuse. To establish in an exploratory study whether levels of neuropeptides are altered in brain of human methamphetamine users, we measured tissue concentrations of dynorphin, metenkephalin, neuropeptide Y, neurotensin, and substance P in autopsied brains of 16 chronic methamphetamine users and 17 matched control subjects. As expected, levels of most neuropeptides were enriched in dopamine-linked brain regions such as the nucleus accumbens and striatum of normal human brain. In contrast to animal findings of increased neuropeptide levels following short-term methamphetamine exposure, striatal neuropeptide concentrations were either normal or moderately decreased in the methamphetamine users. In other examined dopamine-poor cortical and subcortical brain areas, neuropeptide levels were generally either normal or variably reduced. Although the neuropeptide differences might be explained by methamphetamine-induced damage to neuropeptide-containing neurons, our human data are consistent with the possibility that, at least in the human striatum, long-term methamphetamine exposure leads to an adaptive process that is distinct from that which increases neuropeptide levels after acute methamphetamine exposure.

A simple procedure for assessing ataxia in rats: effects of phencyclidine

The present study describes an objective, cost- and time-efficient procedure for characterizing the ataxic effects of psychoactive drugs. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered an intraperitoneal injection of either saline or one of three doses (1, 5 or 10 mg/kg) of phencyclidine (PCP) 15 min prior to being placed into an empty standard operant conditioning chamber (all manipulanda were removed). The floor of the test apparatus consisted of parallel rows of metal rods spaced approximately 1.5 cm apart. During a 5-min test, a single observer counted the frequency with which each animal's paws (front or back) slipped between the rows of bars that constituted the cage floor. The data demonstrated that while saline animals exhibited no instability in their ambulation, PCP-treated animals demonstrated a highly reliable dose-dependent increase in the number of "paw slips" in a single trial. Since animals are known to develop tolerance to the ataxic response to PCP, the validity of the test as a measure of drug-induced ataxia was examined in a separate group of animals treated with the middle (5 mg/kg) dose every other day over the course of a 9-day period (i.e., resulting in five injection trials). In this experiment, each subsequent test produced a reliable reduction in the magnitude of the ataxic response, and by the fifth drug challenge, the PCP animals were performing at near-control levels. These results suggest that the "paw slip test" can serve as a simple, reliable, objective and valid measure of drug-induced ataxia. The relevance of the ataxia data for interpreting the locomotor response of animals treated with PCP is also discussed.

Effects of diazepam, citalopram, methadone and naloxone on PCP-induced stereotyped behaviour and social isolation in the rat social interaction test

Phencyclidine (PCP) can induce a model psychosis in humans that mimics the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. In the social interaction test PCP induces stereotyped behaviour and social isolation in rats, and these behaviours can be inhibited by antipsychotic drugs. In order to further evaluate the predictive validity of this model of schizophrenia the anxiolytic diazepam (0.02-17.5 micromol/kg; 0.005-5.0 mg/kg), the antidepressant citalopram (0.62-19.8 micromol/kg; 0.3-4.0 mg/kg), the opioid agonist methadone (0.36-5.8 micromol/kg; 0.13-2.0 mg/kg) and the opioid antagonist naloxone (0.34-22.0 micromol/kg; 0.13-8.0 mg/kg) were tested as examples of drugs without antipsychotic activity. The experiments demonstrated that these compounds did not specifically inhibit the behavioural effects of PCP. So far only antipsychotic drugs have been able to specifically inhibit the PCP-induced behaviours.

The behavioral and neurochemical effects of phencyclidine in humans and animals: some implications for modeling psychosis

Phencyclidine (PCP) produces a psychotic reaction in humans which closely resembles an acute episode of schizophrenia and has therefore been given an increasing amount of attention as a model for schizophrenia. The present article reviews the behavioral and neurochemical effects of PCP in both humans and animals. Where possible, comparisons are made between the effects of PCP and amphetamine. The merits of the dopamine versus NMDA/PCP receptor mediated expression of PCP-induced psychosis are discussed, as well as the importance of selecting behavioral models which are best suited to model the expression of psychosis, rather than the motor effects of psychotomimetics.

Naloxone reduces social locomotor activity in rats

Naloxone, a nonspecific opioid antagonist, has been found to decrease the activity and social behavior of rats tested in pairs but the effects on individual locomotor activity have been equivocal. In the present study, groups of male Long-Evans hooded rats received naloxone (1 or 4 mg/kg, IP) or vehicle alone (isotonic saline) 30 min prior to testing sessions. Individual locomotor activity was measured in two activity boxes (41-cm3) equipped with two infrared photobeams using daily 30-min testing sessions for 5 consecutive days. Following a 1-week washout period (no testing), activity and social attraction (paired distance and contact) were examined in pairs of rats from each group using daily 15-min testing sessions for 4 consecutive days. Locomotor activity and its habituation were not significantly affected by naloxone in rats tested individually. However, both doses of naloxone significantly reduced paired locomotor activity compared to the control group. Measures of social attraction were not significantly affected by naloxone. The present findings suggest that naloxone does not produce nonspecific depressant effects on activity but rather may antagonize opioid release in situational contexts of high arousal (e.g., social activity) with consequent reduction of activity.

Interactions of naloxone with morphine, amphetamine and phencyclidine on fixed interval responding for intracranial self-stimulation in rats

Rats were implanted with stimulating electrodes aimed at the medial forebrain bundle-lateral hypothalamus (MFB-LH) and were trained to lever-press for brain self-stimulation on a fixed interval: 60 s schedule of reinforcement. The effects of graded doses of naloxone (0.1-30 mg/kg), morphine (0.3-5.6 mg/kg), naloxone plus morphine, d-amphetamine (0.03-1.0 mg/kg), naloxone plus d-amphetamine, phencyclidine (0.3-5.6 mg/kg), and naloxone plus phencyclidine were tested. Naloxone produced a significant decrease in rates at 30 mg/kg. Naloxone (0.1-1.0 mg/kg) plus morphine blocked the dose-dependent decrease produced by morphine alone. In contrast, naloxone (1.0-10 mg/kg) plus d-amphetamine attenuated the graded increase in response rates produced by d-amphetamine. Naloxone (1.0-10 mg/kg) plus phencyclidine did not reliably change the increase in response rates produced by phencyclidine alone. The use of the fixed interval schedule of brain self-stimulation to study these drug interactions is novel, and further demonstrates that the highly reinforcing aspects of brain stimulation, known to be influenced by dopamine, may also be modulated by the endogenous opiate system.

Naloxone does not antagonize PCP-induced stimulation of the pituitary-adrenal axis in the rat

Phencyclidine (PCP) has been shown to stimulate the pituitary-adrenal axis in the rat. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether opiate receptors are involved in this effect by testing whether pretreatment with the opiate antagonist naloxone can antagonize PCP-induced ACTH and corticosterone release. PCP (10.0 mg/kg) produced increases in plasma ACTH and corticosterone 60 min after s.c. administration. Pretreatment with naloxone (2.0 mg/kg s.c.) did not reduce the rise in plasma levels of ACTH or corticosterone produced by PCP. These results indicate that naloxone-sensitive opiate receptors are not involved in the PCP-induced stimulation of the pituitary-adrenal axis in rats.

Phencyclidine blocks histamine H3-receptors in rat brain

Phencyclidine (PCP) was examined for its ability to modulate histamine release from rat brain slices labeled with L-[3H]histidine. PCP failed to mimic but completely reversed the autoinhibitory effect of histamine at H3-receptors with an apparent Ki value of 13 +/- 3 microM. A direct interaction of PCP with H3-autoreceptors rather than PCP or sigma receptor sites was confirmed by binding studies. PCP inhibited the binding of [3H](R)alpha-methylhistamine to H3-receptor sites in rat cerebral membranes with a Ki value of 25 +/- 2 microM. It is concluded that PCP is a H3-receptor antagonist of moderate potency.

Different effects of ethylketocyclazocine on phencyclidine- and N-allylnormetazocine-induced stereotyped behaviors in rats

The effects of ethylketocyclazocine (EKC) on the stereotyped behaviors induced by intraperitoneal injection of phencyclidine (PCP) or N-allylnormetazocine (SKF 10,047) were examined. EKC markedly antagonized PCP-induced stereotyped behaviors such as sniffing, head-weaving, turning and backpedalling. On the other hand, EKC failed to antagonize SKF 10,047-induced stereotyped behaviors, which are PCP-like stereotyped behaviors, except sniffing and head-weaving at 0-15 min after the SKF 10,047 injection. PCP-induced turning and backpedalling were potentiated by pretreatment with SKF 10,047, while PCP-induced sniffing and head-weaving were not. EKC failed to affect the enhancing effect of SKF 10,047 on PCP-induced turning and backpedalling. These results suggest that part of the PCP- and SKF 10,047-induced stereotypy may be mediated by different neuronal mechanisms.

Rat brain PCP receptors: alterations in binding parameters following chronic administration of opiate agonists and antagonists

Phencyclidine (PCP) is a widely abused drug of the arylcyclohexylamine class which is capable of producing symptoms of acute psychosis in man. PCP interacts with a specific CNS receptor, for which a putative endogenous peptide ligand has been identified. We have investigated whether PCP receptor binding parameters are modulated by activity in central opiate pathways. We have found that chronic administration of both an opiate agonist (etonitazene) and an opiate antagonist (naloxone) are able to decrease the affinity of the PCP receptor for TCP, a thienyl derivative of PCP. Furthermore, naloxone, but not etonitazene, resulted in a significant increase in the Bmax of TCP binding to the PCP receptor. These results suggest that neural activity mediated by CNS opioids systems is capable of affecting the binding parameters of the PCP receptor.

Phencyclidine-induced stereotyped behaviors after injection of ethylketocyclazocine, Mr 2266 and naltrexone in rats

The effects of ethylketocyclazocine (EKC), Mr 2266 and naltrexone on the stereotyped behaviors induced by an intraperitoneal injection of phencyclidine (PCP) were examined. PCP-induced turning, backpedalling, head weaving and sniffing were antagonized by pretreatment with EKC (0.25-4.0 mg/kg). While pretreatment with Mr 2266 (2.5 mg/kg), a kappa selective antagonist, and naltrexone (10 mg/kg), a mu selective antagonist, failed to affect the PCP-induced stereotypy, Mr 2266 antagonized the suppressing effect of EKC on PCP-induced stereotypy. Taken into consideration, this suggests that kappa opioid agonists such as EKC antagonize PCP-induced stereotyped behaviors through a kappa opioid mechanism, and that the mu opioid receptor may not play an important role in the PCP-induced stereotypy in rats.

Phencyclidine-induced stereotyped behaviors after injection of morphine and N-allylnormetazocine (SKF 10,047) in rats

We investigated the effects of N-allylnormetazocine (SKF 10,047) and morphine on the stereotyped behaviors induced by the intraperitoneal injection of phencyclidine (PCP). PCP-induced turning and backpedalling were significantly potentiated by pretreatment with SKF 10,047 (10 mg/kg) but sniffing and head weaving were not. On the other hand, pretreatment with morphine dose-dependently attenuated PCP-induced sniffing and head weaving, but not turning and backpedalling. These results suggest that PCP-induced stereotypy may be mediated by not only a sigma opioid receptor but also some other receptors. In addition, each component of PCP-induced stereotypy may be controlled by different opioid systems and/or neuronal systems.

Stereotyped behavior correlates better than ataxia with phencyclidine-receptor interactions

The interaction of phencyclidine, dexoxadrol, their analogs and stereoisomers with phencyclidine receptors was compared to their ability to induce stereotyped behavior and ataxia after i.c.v. administration to rats. The order of potency for binding to phencyclidine receptors revealed that among the stereoisomers of phencyclidine derivatives, the (+) isomer was more potent than the (-) isomer. A similar order of potency of phencyclidine derivatives and degree of stereoselectivity was seen in the assays for stereotyped behavior and phencyclidine receptor interactions, which resulted in a good correlation between the relative potencies for binding to phencyclidine receptors and inducing stereotyped behavior. However, the order of potency for induction of ataxia and the stereoselectivity was different than that seen in the assays for phencyclidine receptor interactions and stereotyped behavior. A comparison of relative potencies for binding to phencyclidine receptors to induction of ataxia still resulted in a good fit to a straight line, but the line did not intersect the origin, indicating that a non-phencyclidine receptor component is also involved in mediating ataxia. Dextrorphan and 2-methyl-3,3-diphenyl-3-propylamine were equipotent as phencyclidine in phencyclidine receptor and behavioral assays. The order of potency for interacting with phencyclidine receptors and inducing phencyclidine-like behavior by the isomers of cyclazocine were opposite to that of other phencyclidine analogs. Also, the order of potency for induction of ataxia by the isomers of N-allylnormetazocine was opposite to that for phencyclidine receptor interactions. Ethylketocyclazocine did not induce any stereotyped behavior or ataxia, indicating that it is unlikely that a kappa opioid receptor interaction plays a role in mediating ataxia. Furthermore, stereotyped behavior and ataxia were not due to interactions with mu, kappa or delta opioid receptors as naloxone did not antagonize the behavioral effects of phencyclidine, (-)cyclazocine or (-)N-allylnormetazocine. These results indicate that stereotyped behavior is mediated by phencyclidine receptors, whereas ataxia is mediated by more than just phencyclidine receptors.

Potentiation of phencyclidine-induced stereotyped behaviors in rats by thiorphan and bestatin

We investigated the effects of thiorphan, a specific inhibitor of enkephalinase A and bestatin, a specific inhibitor of aminopeptidase, on the stereotyped behaviors induced by phencyclidine (PCP) in cannulated rats. The PCP-induced turning was significantly potentiated when thiorphan (50 micrograms) and bestatin (50 micrograms) were injected simultaneously into the rat lateral ventricle. The increase of PCP-induced turning was completely antagonized by the pretreatment with naloxone. Thiorphan (50 micrograms) or bestatin (50 micrograms) alone failed to potentiate PCP-induced turning. Thiorphan and/or bestatin did not affect significantly the PCP-induced head weaving and back-pedalling except that thiorphan (50 micrograms) potentiated the PCP-induced head weaving 15-18 min after the PCP injection. The combination of thiorphan and bestatin alone did not induce any behavioral change. These results suggest that thiorphan and bestatin produce an increase of endogenous enkephalins and that as a result, PCP-induced turning may be enhanced.

Evidence for multiple opiate receptor involvement in different phencyclidine-induced unconditioned behaviors in rats

Rats were used for comparing the behavioral response profiles of phencyclidine (PCP) and d,1-N-allylnormetazocine (NANM), two drugs that are proposed to exert their effects through the "PCP/sigma" receptor. Phencyclidine (1.0-5.0 mg/kg) and NANM (2.5-10.0 mg/kg) induced dose-related increases in locomotion, sniffing, repetitive head movements, non-object directed mouth movements, and ataxia. Both drugs also increased food and water consumption during the latter portion of the drug response. Ingestive behaviors induced by PCP (2.5 mg/kg), as with eating and drinking stimulated by the mu-opiate morphine (2.0 mg/kg), were blocked by a relatively low dose of the opiate antagonist naloxone (0.5 mg/kg). Multiple injections of PCP (2.5 mg/kg for 4 days) or NANM (10.0 mg/kg for 4 days) augmented several measures of behavioral activation, including horizontal locomotion, rearing, and nonfocused sniffing, but did not significantly change stereotyped behaviors or ataxia. Reciprocal cross-sensitization of locomotor activation is indicated by the finding that the response to a challenge injection of PCP (2.5 mg/kg) or to NANM (10.0 mg/kg) after 4 days of treatment with the other drug closely resembled the enhanced locomotor response observed after the chronic treatment. Phencyclidine and NANM thus appear to exert many of their effects on unconditioned behavior through common mechanisms, including interaction with sigma receptors. In addition, these findings are consistent with previous suggestions that a mu-opiate receptor system may modulate some effects of PCP.

Effects of phencyclidine in combination with morphine on the levels of met-enkephalin, dopamine, DOPAC and HVA in discrete brain areas of mice

The study investigated the interaction between phencyclidine (PCP) and morphine in affecting the levels of met-enkephalin, dopamine, DOPAC and HVA in mice. Morphine 5 mg/kg alone and PCP 10 mg/kg alone failed to change the levels of met-enkephalin in the midbrain and striatum. However, PCP in combination with morphine produced an increase in met-enkephalin levels and a decrease in HVA levels. In the midbrain, there was a direct relationship between the decrease in met-enkephalin levels and the increase in HVA levels. These results suggest that PCP may change the function in dopaminergic and enkephalinergic neuronal systems in the midbrain and/or striatum.

Phencyclidine receptors in rat brain cortex

The binding of [3H]phencyclidine (PCP) to receptors in rat brain cortex has been studied. Two receptors have been detected, a high affinity receptor site with a KD of 23.5 +/- 7.4 nM and a low affinity site with a KD of 7.6 +/- 1.8 microM. The binding of [3H]PCP to its receptors was pH and temperature dependent and was destroyed by heat-denaturation. The binding of [3H]PCP was inhibited by compounds which produce PCP-like behavioral effects including dexoxadrol, etoxadrol and ketamine as well as a novel series of benz(f)isoquinolines. The low affinity site was blocked by PCP, etoxadrol and (+)-SKF-10,047 but not morphine or leu-enkephalin, suggesting that it also represents a specific PCP site. Stereoselective displacement of PCP at the high affinity receptor was observed with the isomers of cyclazocine, cyclorphan, SKF-10,047 and dioxadrol (dexoxadrol and levoxadrol). Naloxone, 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo(S,4-C)pyridin-3-ol (THIP) hydrate and haloperidol inhibited binding poorly (Ki greater than 1 microM), suggesting that these compounds do not interact significantly with the high affinity PCP receptor in vivo. The affinity of ligands for the phencyclidine receptor was highly correlated (r = 0.714, P less than 0.01) with their potency to produce catalepsy in pigeons.

Attenuation of pharmacological effects and increased metabolism of phencyclidine in morphine tolerant mice

Mice were used for a study of the interaction between morphine and phencyclidine (PCP) in relation to lethality, motor incoordination, locomotor activity and rearing, together with the half-life of PCP, following continuous administration of morphine by pellet (75 mg base) implantation for 72 h and after removal of the pellets for 6 and 24 h. PCP induced motor incoordination and suppressed locomotor activity and rearing; these effects were enhanced in morphine 'pellet-implanted' mice and were attenuated in morphine 'pellet-removed' groups. The enhancing effect of morphine on the PCP responses was attributable more to the presence of residual morphine than to the alterations in its disposition. The morphine-induced increase in locomotor activity and analgesia was attenuated in PCP (40 mg/kg per day i.p. for 5 days) tolerant mice. The rate of decay of PCP in serum and brain or morphine pellet-implanted animals was not different; however, in the 24 h 'pellet-removed' group, the rate of decay of PCP was increased. The results indicate that there is a two-way cross-tolerance development between PCP and morphine. The phenomenon appears to involve both dispositional and functional adaptation mechanisms.

Phencyclidine-induced inhibition of striatal acetylcholine release: comparisons with mu, kappa, and sigma opiate agonists

The effects of phencyclidine (PCP) on ACh release were compared to those of morphine, ethylketocyclazocine (EKC), and N-allylnormetazocine (SKF10047) in a superfused striatal slice preparation. The (+)-isomer of the prototypic sigma opiate agonist, SKF10047, and the prototypic kappa opiate agonist, EKC, had essentially the same pharmacological profile as did PCP. That is, they each inhibited ACh release in a concentration dependent manner (with EKC being the most potent) and this effect was antagonized by 0.1 microM naloxone. Since morphine was without effect on ACh release, it is unlikely that these drugs inhibit ACh release by acting at mu receptors. In addition, we observed that the inhibitory effect of PCP, (+) SKF10047, and EKC on ACh release was reversed by 0.1 microM haloperidol. Given that PCP has been shown to stimulate basal DA release in this preparation, it is possible that PCP, EKC and (+) SKF10047 inhibit ACh release indirectly by stimulating DA release. The naloxone-induced blockade of the effect of PCP and these benzomorphans is discussed in relation to the effects of naloxone on other systems known to influence ACh release.

Comparison of chlorpromazine, haloperidol and pimozide in the treatment of phencyclidine psychosis: DA-2 receptor specificity

Three neuroleptics were used to treat phencyclidine (PCP) psychosis. These included chlorpromazine, a DA-1 and DA-2 dopamine antagonist with noradrenergic effects; haloperidol, a predominantly DA-2 antagonist with noradrenergic effects; and pimozide a predominantly DA-2 antagonist with no noradrenergic activity. Three cohorts of randomly selected young white adult males were studied. Responses to haloperidol and pimozide were statistically equivalent and both were significantly superior to chlorpromazine. These results further support the role of the DA-2 receptor in PCP psychosis and tend to rule out a noradrenergic role. The authors therefore suggest that DA-2 blockers, such as haloperidol or pimozide be employed as treatment of choice in PCP psychosis.

Chronic phencyclidine increases methionine-enkephalin level in mouse striatum

The chronic administration of phencyclidine-HCl (PCP-HCl), 10 mg/kg, for 6-7 days resulted in a significant increase in the striatal methionine-enkephalin level, although acute administration induced no change of methionine-enkephalin level in this area. The methionine-enkephalin levels in other areas investigated, i.e. the medulla oblongata/pons, the midbrain, the hypothalamus and the cortex, were unchanged after chronic PCP treatment. These results suggest that chronic administration of PCP alters the enkephalinergic neuronal activity in the striatum.