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Opioid antagonists. I: Pharmacology and rationale for use in treating self-injury

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Abstract

Endogenous opioid peptides have been implicated in the genesis and maintenance of self-injurious behavior. This paper presents an overview of the basic pharmacology of opioid peptides and opioid antagonists and briefly outlines the rationale for using these agents to treat self-injury in individuals with mental retardation. The basic assumption is that self-injury is related to the endogenous opioid system, with two, nonexclusive mechanisms having been postulated that may account for this behavior.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, South Dakota State University, 57007, Brookings, South Dakota

    Yadhu N. Singh

  2. Southwest Institute for Developmental Disabilities at Abilene, 79604, Abilene, Texas

    Robert W. Ricketts

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Virginia, 23298, Richmond, Virginia

    Cynthia R. Ellis

  4. Department of Psychiatry, Medical College of Virginia, 23298, Virginia, Richmond

    Nirhay N. Singh

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  1. Yadhu N. Singh
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  2. Robert W. Ricketts
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  3. Cynthia R. Ellis
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  4. Nirhay N. Singh
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Singh, Y.N., Ricketts, R.W., Ellis, C.R. et al. Opioid antagonists. I: Pharmacology and rationale for use in treating self-injury. J Dev Phys Disabil 5, 5–15 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01046594

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