Pronociceptive and antinociceptive effects of estradiol through endogenous opioid neurotransmission in women.

摘要: Prominent interindividual and sex-dependent differences have been described in responses to sustained pain other stressful stimuli. Variations μ-opioid receptor-mediated endogenous opioid neurotransmission may underlie some of these processes. We examined both baseline receptor levels the activation this neurotransmitter system during using positron emission tomography a sample young healthy men women. Women were studied twice, low high estrogen states. The high-estrogen state was associated with regional increases availability vivo greater stressor. latter did not differ from that obtained males. During condition, however, significant reductions tone observed at level thalamus, nucleus accumbens, amygdala, which hyperalgesic responses. Estrogen-associated variations activity correlated individual ratings sensory affective perceptions subsequent recall experience. These data demonstrate role modulating psychophysical stressor humans.