TY - JOUR
T1 - Assessment of opiate modulation of pain and nociceptive responding in young adults with a parental history of hypertension
AU - France, CR
AU - Al'Absi, M
AU - Ring, Christopher
AU - France, J
AU - Brose, J
AU - Spaeth, D
AU - Harju, A
AU - Nordehn, G
AU - Wittmers, LE
PY - 2005/12/1
Y1 - 2005/12/1
N2 - This double blind, placebo-controlled study examined the effects of an opiate antagonist, naltrexone, on nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR) thresholds and subjective pain in individuals with and without a parental history of hypertension. Using a repeated measures design, NFR threshold was repeatedly assessed on two testing days after administration of either placebo or naltrexone. Immediately after NFR threshold was determined, participants rated the level of pain experienced during the preceding NFR assessment, and at the end of each session participants' electrocutaneous pain threshold was assessed. Two primary findings were obtained. First, individuals with a parental history of hypertension exhibited attenuated pain sensitivity. Second, endogenous opioid blockade was associated with increased pain ratings in women but with increased pain threshold in men. In sum, the present study did not support a direct involvement of the endogenous opioid system in the attenuated pain sensitivity observed in individuals at increased risk for hypertension. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
AB - This double blind, placebo-controlled study examined the effects of an opiate antagonist, naltrexone, on nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR) thresholds and subjective pain in individuals with and without a parental history of hypertension. Using a repeated measures design, NFR threshold was repeatedly assessed on two testing days after administration of either placebo or naltrexone. Immediately after NFR threshold was determined, participants rated the level of pain experienced during the preceding NFR assessment, and at the end of each session participants' electrocutaneous pain threshold was assessed. Two primary findings were obtained. First, individuals with a parental history of hypertension exhibited attenuated pain sensitivity. Second, endogenous opioid blockade was associated with increased pain ratings in women but with increased pain threshold in men. In sum, the present study did not support a direct involvement of the endogenous opioid system in the attenuated pain sensitivity observed in individuals at increased risk for hypertension. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
KW - nociception
KW - risk for hypertension
KW - NFR
KW - endogenous opiates
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=26844432411&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2005.01.012
DO - 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2005.01.012
M3 - Article
C2 - 15936866
VL - 70
SP - 168
EP - 174
JO - Biological Psychology
JF - Biological Psychology
ER -