Effect of substance P on medial forebrain bundle self-stimulation in rats following intracerebral administration.

The effect of Substance P infused intracerebrally via chronically implanted electrode-cannulae on self-stimulation induced from the same site was studied in rats. Substance P caused a significant depression of self-stimulation at 60 and 120 microgram/rat. Morphine infused into this site also caused significant depression of self-stimulation, but the doses were considerably lower than those of Substance P (5 and 10 microgram/rat). Pretreatment with naloxone, a narcotic antagonist, significantly antagonized the effects of Substance P on self-stimulation. It is proposed that Substance P modulates self-stimulation by the release of an endogenous morphine-like substance, but the possibility of a direct effect of Substance P was not ruled out.