pubmed-article:7162341 | pubmed:abstractText | Bombesin (0.001-0.125 microgram) elicits dose-related excessive grooming when administered i.c.v. to rats. In contrast to the grooming produced by various other endogenous and exogenous agents, bombesin-induced grooming is not markedly affected by behaviorally non-depressant doses (determined by a novel method) of morphine (3 and 10 mg/kg, s.c.). The benzomorphan, ethylketocyclazocine (0.25-0.5 mg/kg, s.c.), does attenuate bombesin-induced grooming in a dose-related and stereospecific manner. In this study, we have classified 27 opioids on the basis of their ability to antagonize bombesin-induced grooming. The results of the classification indicate that a benzomorphan nucleus is required for activity in this test. Our test provides evidence that postulated benzomorphan binding sites are functionally active as pharmacologic receptors. | lld:pubmed |