Opioids I

This two-volume book provides the first comprehensive survey of opioid research, an area in which a tremendous amount of literature has accumulated since the identification of opioid receptors and their endogenous ligands. In more than 60 chapters experts represent state-of-the art reviews of this fascinating field. The topics range from molecular biology to clinical application. Part I covers the multiplicity of opioid receptors (characterization, distribution, regulation, etc.), the chemistry of opiates and biochemistry of opioid peptides (gene expression, biosynthesis, inactivation, receptor selectivity of ligancs, etc.) as well as the neurophysiology of opioids and their molecular actions.