title: Dependence potential of tramadol: behavioral pharmacology in rodents.
abstract: Tramadol is an opioid analgesic agent that has been the subject of a series of case reports suggesting potential for misuse or abuse. However, it is not a controlled substance and is not generally considered addictive in Korea. In this study, we examined the dependence potential and abuse liability of tramadol as well as its effect on the dopaminergic and serotonergic systems in rodents. In animal behavioral tests, tramadol did not show any positive effects on the experimental animals in climbing, jumping, and head twitch tests. However, in the conditioned place preference and self-administration tests, the experimental animals showed significant positive responses. Taken together, tramadol affected the neurological systems related to abuse liability and has the potential to lead psychological dependence.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacological Research Division, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Chungju 361-709 ; Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hye Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Cha
authors.affiliation: Pharmacological Research Division, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Chungju 361-709.
authors.forename: Min Ji
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Pharmacological Research Division, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Chungju 361-709.
authors.forename: Kwang-Wook
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Pharmacological Research Division, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Chungju 361-709.
authors.forename: Eun Jung
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Pharmacological Research Division, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Chungju 361-709.
authors.forename: Young-Hoon
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Pharmacological Research Division, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Chungju 361-709.
authors.forename: Yunje
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Pharmacological Research Division, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Chungju 361-709.
authors.forename: Won-Keun
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Seong
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 440-746.
authors.forename: Sa-Ik
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 440-746.
authors.forename: Choon-Gon
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Han Sang
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.affiliation: Pharmacological Research Division, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Chungju 361-709.
authors.forename: Ho-Sang
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Jeong
keywords: Animal behavioral tests; Dopamine system; Drug dependence; Serotonin system; Tramadol