European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

Open Access 04-04-2025 | Opioids | Original Article

Pleasurable music activates cerebral µ-opioid receptors: a combined PET-fMRI study

Authors: Vesa Putkinen, Kerttu Seppälä, Harri Harju, Jussi Hirvonen, Henry K. Karlsson, Lauri Nummenmaa

Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

Abstract

Purpose

The μ-opioid receptor (MOR) system mediates incentive motivation and the hedonic component of primary rewards such as food and sex. However, there is no direct in vivo evidence for the involvement of the MOR system in pleasure derived from aesthetic rewards such as music.

Methods

We measured MOR availability with positron emission tomography (PET) and the agonist radioligand [¹¹C]carfentanil with high affinity for MORs during the listening of pleasurable music and neutral baseline condition. Haemodynamic responses associated with dynamic pleasure ratings during listening to music and control stimuli were measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Results

The PET results revealed that pleasurable music increased [¹¹C]carfentanil binding in several cortical and subcortical regions, including ventral striatum and orbitofrontal cortex, known to contain “hedonic hotspots”. [¹¹C]carfentanil binding in the nucleus accumbens during the music condition was associated with number of pleasurable chills, linking the subjective experience of pleasure to striatal opioid release. Individual variation in baseline MOR tone influenced pleasure-dependent haemodynamic responses during music listening in regions associated with interoceptive, sensorimotor, and reward processing.

Conclusions

These findings provide the first neuroimaging evidence that pleasurable music modulates MOR system function. The results indicate that the μ-opioid system governs complex aesthetic rewards in addition to biologically essential primary rewards.

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Title: Pleasurable music activates cerebral µ-opioid receptors: a combined PET-fMRI study
Authors: Vesa Putkinen
Kerttu Seppälä
Harri Harju
Jussi Hirvonen
Henry K. Karlsson
Lauri Nummenmaa
Publication date: 04-04-2025
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Opioids
Opioids
Positron Emission Tomography
Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
Print ISSN: 1619-7070
Electronic ISSN: 1619-7089
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-025-07232-z

Navigating neuroimaging in Alzheimer disease care

Springer Medicine

Pleasurable music activates cerebral µ-opioid receptors: a combined PET-fMRI study

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Navigating neuroimaging in Alzheimer disease care

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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