Periadolescent morphine exposure alters subsequent behavioral sensitivity to morphine in adult rats

Eur J Pharmacol. 2005 Dec 28;528(1-3):119-23. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2005.10.026.

Abstract

Little research has been conducted investigating the long-term impact of opioid exposure during adolescence. These experiments were conducted to determine the behavioral effects of morphine exposure during periadolescence (postnatal days 30-32) versus young adulthood (postnatal days 65-67) on subsequent sensitivity to morphine. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with three days of saline (S-S-S), one day of 10 mg/kg morphine followed by two days of saline (M-S-S), or three days of morphine (M-M-M). Unlike adult-treated counterparts, periadolescent M-M-M-treated rats showed greater locomotor response to morphine compared to S-S-S or M-S-S cohorts five weeks after treatment, suggesting age- and exposure-dependent differences in opioid sensitivity.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Analgesics, Opioid / pharmacology*
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Male
  • Morphine / pharmacology*
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Morphine