Effects of continuous naloxone administration on ventral tegmental self-stimulation

Brain Res. 1991 Sep 27;560(1-2):315-20. doi: 10.1016/0006-8993(91)91250-5.

Abstract

Continuous subcutaneous administration of naloxone (3 mg/kg/h), shifted ventral tegmental self-stimulation rate-frequency curves to the right, without suppressing behavioral performance. In addition this chronic blockade of opioid receptors altered mu binding parameters in the hippocampus and olfactory tubercle of naloxone-treated animals. These findings speak to the role opioid peptides paly in the mediation of brain stimulation reward.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-
  • Enkephalins / metabolism
  • Injections, Subcutaneous
  • Male
  • Naloxone / pharmacology*
  • Osmolar Concentration
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Receptors, Opioid / metabolism
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu
  • Self Stimulation*
  • Tegmentum Mesencephali / physiology*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Enkephalins
  • Receptors, Opioid
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu
  • Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-
  • Naloxone