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Selective reward deficit in mice lacking beta-endorphin and enkephalin.

Michael D Hayward1, John E Pintar, Malcolm J Low

  • 1The Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97201, USA.

The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience
|September 12, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Both beta-endorphin and enkephalin are crucial for motivation to work for food rewards. Their absence reduces this drive, particularly when not hungry, impacting food

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Behavioral Science
  • Opioid Research

Background:

  • Endogenous opioids' roles in reward are unclear due to receptor non-selectivity.
  • Identifying specific opioid peptide contributions to motivation is challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the roles of beta-endorphin and enkephalin in motivated behavior.
  • To determine if these peptides influence the incentive value of food rewards.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized beta-endorphin and enkephalin knockout mice.
  • Employed a progressive ratio schedule to measure instrumental behavior for food.
  • Tested responses in both deprived and non-deprived states.

Main Results:

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  • Loss of either beta-endorphin or enkephalin reduced instrumental responding for food.
  • Mice lacking both opioids showed similar deficits.
  • Reduced responding was observed only in non-deprived mice.
  • No effect on sweet taste preference was found.

    • Conclusions:

    • Both beta-endorphin and enkephalin positively contribute to the motivation for food.
    • These peptides likely alter food hedonics rather than energy homeostasis.
    • Findings highlight the specific roles of these opioids in reward-seeking behavior.