Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026

A Conflict Model of Reward-seeking Behavior in Male Rats
Published on: February 20, 2019
Ventral tegmental site of opiate reward: antagonism by a hydrophilic opiate receptor blocker
1Center for Research on Drug Dependence, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Qué. H3G 1M8, Canada.
Abstract:
The ventral tegmental area has been suggested as a possible site of action for the rewarding effect of opiates on the basis of the fact that local morphine injections in this but not other regions are rewarding. That this is a necessary and not just a sufficient site of opiate rewarding action was suggested by the fact that diallyl-normorphinium bromide, a hydrophilic opiate blocker, caused compensatory increases in intravenous heroin self-administration when injected into the ventral tegmental area but not other brain regions.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Opioid Receptors: Overview
Analgesia and Pain Management
Drug-Receptor Interaction: Antagonist
Antagonists can be classified as competitive or noncompetitive based on their...
Drug-Receptor Interaction: Agonist
Agonists can bind to receptors in different ways. Some agonists bind directly to the receptor's active site, mimicking the endogenous ligand's action.
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena

