Transcutaneous electrical stimulation with Limoge current potentiates morphine analgesia and attenuates opiate abstinence syndrome.
Transcutaneous electrostimulation is a somewhat controversial technique used in the management of the opiate withdrawal syndrome. We report an animal study of a particular transcutaneous electrostimulation called transcutaneous cranial electrostimulation, based on a technique used for many years on heroin addicts for the rapid severance of their addiction, which has been validated in a clinical setting by a double-blind trial. This technique involves the application of an intermittent high-frequency current (Limoge's current). Our experimental data show that this transcutaneous cranial electrostimulation increases morphine analgesia by threefold on the tail flick latency measure and produces a 48% attenuation of the abstinence syndrome observed after abrupt cessation of morphine administration. These results were obtained using a double-blind paradigm.
Auriacombe
M
M
Inserm U. 259, Université de Bordeaux II, France.
Tignol
J
J
Le Moal
M
M
Stinus
L
L
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009021:Morphine Dependence / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000187:drug effects*; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000187:drug effects; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation
D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D009020:Morphine