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Stanley J. Watson, MD, PhD; Huda Akil, PhD; Philip A. Berger, MD; Jack D. Barchas, MD

Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1979;36(1):35-41.

Abstract
• With the discovery of the opiate peptides, several major avenues of research became apparent. These peptides produced a great deal of focused attention on their anatomy, biochemistry, and physiology. In this article, we present an overview of some of the main research issues and recent findings in the field of opiate peptides. The possible relationship of the opiate peptide neuronal systems to schizophrenia is discussed in light of attempts to alter schizophrenic symptoms with opiate antagonists, β-endorphin, and dialysis. It is hypothesized that if the opiate peptides are involved in schizophrenia, then their involvement with dopamine systems and/or with stress responses may be critical.

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, the Nancy Pritzker Laboratory of Behavioral Neurochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif. Drs Watson and Akil are now with the Mental Health Research Institute at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication June 9, 1978.

Read before the Scientific Symposium Honoring Eli Robins, MD, St Louis, May 27, 1977.

Reprint requests to Nancy Pritzker Laboratory of Behavioral Neurochemistry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305 (Dr Watson).

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