Demonstration of morphine in ganglion cells of the hippocampus from victims of heroin overdose by means of anti-morphine antiserum.
To investigate the topography of morphine distribution in the human brain, a method has been developed to detect morphine immunohistochemically. In this study hippocampus tissue from victims of heroin overdose (blood morphine concentrations 220 ng/g-1500 ng/g; 6-MAM positive urine sample), known for its high concentration of mu-opiate receptors was used. The immunohistochemical staining was performed with an anti-morphine antiserum originally developed for radio-immunoassays. In comparison with control specimens from cases of sudden death without morphine exposition or a history of heroin abuse, the brains from victims of heroin overdose showed selectively stained ganglion cells, axons and dendrites, suggesting a massive concentration of morphine in the neuronal structures.
Wehner
F
F
Institut für Gerichtliche Medizin der Universität Tübingen, Germany.
Wehner
H D
HD
Subke
J
J
Meyermann
R
R
Fritz
P
P
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005724:Ganglia / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000032:analysis*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology
D007106:Immune Sera; D009020:Morphine