title: Withdrawal-induced activation of locus coeruleus neurons in opiate-dependent rats: attenuation by lesions of the nucleus paragigantocellularis.
abstract: Single unit activity was recorded in the locus coeruleus (LC) of anesthetized, morphine-dependent rats during naltrexone-precipitated withdrawal. As has been reported previously, LC neurons displayed a strong withdrawal-induced activation of firing rate. Radio-frequency lesions of the nucleus paragigantocellularis (PGi), a major LC afferent, greatly attenuated withdrawal-induced activation of neurons in the LC ipsilateral but not contralateral to the PGi lesion. Lesions of the prepositus hypoglossi, another major LC afferent, did not prevent the withdrawal-induced activation of LC neurons. Kynurenic acid, a non-selective excitatory amino acid antagonist known to block PGi-induced excitations of LC neurons, also blocked the withdrawal-induced activation of LC neurons. These studies indicate that withdrawal-induced activation of the LC in opiate-dependent rats is mediated at least in part by afferents from the PGi which utilize an excitatory amino acid transmitter.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Aghajanian
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D007736:Kynurenic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D008125:Locus Coeruleus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000502:physiology*; D009020:Morphine; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D009271:Naltrexone; D009020:Morphine; D007736:Kynurenic Acid