6533b870fe1ef96bd12cfcbc

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Involvement of nitric oxide synthesis in sensitization to the rewarding effects of morphine

María A. AguilarCarmen ManzanedoMarta Rodríguez-ariasBruno Ribeiro Do CoutoJosé Miñarro

subject

MaleNarcoticsIndazoles7-Nitroindazolemedia_common.quotation_subjectConditioning ClassicalPharmacologyNitric OxideNitric oxideMicechemistry.chemical_compoundRewardmedicineAnimalsSensitizationmedia_commonMorphinebiologybusiness.industryGeneral NeuroscienceAddictionConditioned place preferenceNitric oxide synthasemedicine.anatomical_structurechemistryNitric Oxide PathwayMorphinebiology.proteinNitric Oxide Synthasebusinessmedicine.drug

description

Abstract Knowledge about the specific brain changes and neural plasticity processes produced by repeated exposure to a drug is essential to progress in the field of neurobiology of addiction and the development of effective medication. In the present study, the influence of nitric oxide synthesis on sensitization to the rewarding effects of morphine has been evaluated. The effects of pre-treatment of mice with saline or 20 mg/kg of morphine plus the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (7NI) (12.5 or 25 mg/kg) on the place conditioning induced by a low dose of morphine (2 mg/kg) were assessed. The dose of 2 mg/kg of morphine was ineffective in animals pre-treated with saline but induced a clear conditioned place preference (CPP) in those pre-treated with morphine. Conversely, animals pre-treated with morphine plus 7NI did not acquire CPP. Our results demonstrate that the nitric oxide pathway is implicated in the development of sensitization to the conditioned rewarding effects of morphine.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2009-10-01Neuroscience Letters
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2009.08.017