Effects of methadone and morphine on c-Fos expression in the rat brain: similarities and differences.
This is the first study designed to compare the pattern of stimulation of c-Fos in selected brain structures after an acute administration of morphine and methadone. Methadone and morphine induced activation of c-Fos protein in the terminal forebrain projecting areas of the brain dopaminergic system, i.e. the striatum and nucleus accumbens. Taking into account generally accepted differences in the potency of pharmacological effects of the two drugs, it is surprising that this effect was most evident after the dose of 5 mg/kg of either drug.
Department of Neurochemistry, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Sobieskiego 9, PL 02-957 Warszawa, Poland. taracha@ipin.edu.pl
Ewa
E
Taracha
Małgorzata
M
Lehner
Aleksandra
A
Wisłowska-Stanek
Małgorzata
M
Zienowicz
Piotr
P
Maciejak
Andrzej
A
Bidziński
Anna
A
Skórzewska
Danuta
D
Turzyńska
Adam
A
Płaźnik
D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D016548:Prosencephalon / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine
D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D009020:Morphine; D008691:Methadone