Quantitative and qualitative aspects of the hibernation-related reduction of morphine physical dependence in the ground squirrel (Citellus lateralis).
The development of morphine physical dependence in the contrasting brain states of the nonhibernating (NH) vs. the hibernating (H) condition was measured in the ground squirrel hibernator Citellus lateralis. Morphine was infused continuously into the lateral ventricle (3.44, 6.88 and 13.75 micrograms/hr for periods of 1, 3 and 6 days) in NH and H animals, followed by measurement of the naloxone (1 mg/kg s.c.) evoked abstinence syndrome during the NH state (i.e., H animals were tested after arousal to the NH state). The results showed that morphine treatment during the NH state resulted in significant naloxone-evoked abstinence and an overall dose- and duration-related increase in the strength of the abstinence syndrome. By contrast, morphine treatment during hibernation resulted in significantly reduced abstinence compared with that observed after treatment during the NH state, with no significant morphine dose-response or duration-response trends evident. However, H-state morphine treatment did produce a dose-related reduction of hibernation bout duration. The reduction in the strength of dependence during the H state was associated with a qualitative change in the abstinence syndrome, as revealed by exploratory factor analysis. This change was reflected by an approximate reversal of the rank order of abstinence signs. These results demonstrate that hibernation-related changes in central nervous system function significantly reduce the liability for and change the character of the development of morphine dependence.
Beaver
T A
TA
Department of Psychology, California State University, Long Beach, USA.
Lewis
F C
FC
Newman
J R
JR
Beckman
A L
AL
D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles; D005260:Female; D006605:Hibernation; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009021:Morphine Dependence; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D009294:Narcotics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012589:Sciuridae
D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009294:Narcotics; D009270:Naloxone; D009020:Morphine