Electrophysiological evidence for a possible serotonergic involvement in some endogenous opiate activity in humans

The effects of indalpine (a selective 5-HT uptake inhibitor) on the threshold of lower limb nociceptive flexion reflexes were studied (double blind) in humans. After 3 days' administration, indalpine was found to exert a significant naloxone-reversible depression (threshold increased) of the nociceptive reflexes (naloxone and saline were tested double blind). In contrast, no change was found during treatment with placebo. The functional and therapeutic implications of these results are discussed.