Chronic cocaine alters brain mu opioid receptors

doi:10.1016/0006-8993(92)90912-S

Brain Research

Volume 584, Issues 1–2, 3 July 1992, Pages 314-318

https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-8993(92)90912-S Get rights and content

Abstract

The possibility that dopamine may modulate the expression of opioid receptors was investigated by determining the effects of chronic cocaine administration on the density of μ opioid receptors. Quantitative in vitro autoradiography with the highly selective μ opioid ligand [³H]DAMGO was used to measure and localize changes in μ opioid receptors in the brains of rats administered cocaine or saline three times daily for 14 days. Significant increases in [³H]DAMGO binding were measured in areas of the cingulate cortex, nucleus accumbens, caudate putamen, and basolateral amygdaloid nucleus of the cocaine-treated animals. These results demonstrate that μ opioid receptors undergo upregulation in response to chronic cocaine exposure and suggest that dopamine activity can regulate the expression of μ opioid receptors.

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: This work was supported in part by NIDA Research Center Grant DA-P50-05130 and the Aaron Diamond Foundation. Dr. Kreek is a recipient of ADAMHA-NIDA Research Scientist Award DA-00049.

View full text

Chronic cocaine alters brain mu opioid receptors

Abstract

Life Sci.

Eur. J. Pharmacol.

Biochem. Pharmacol.

Brain Res.

Brain Res.

Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav.

Brain Res.

Blockade of cocaine reinforcement in rats with the dopamine receptor blocker pimozide but not with the noradrenergic blockers phentolamine or phenoxybenzamine

Can. J. Psychol.

Cortical dopaminergic involvement in cocaine reinforcement

Science