Opiate Sensitization and FosB/ΔFosB Expression in the Brain
Author Information
Author(s): Kaplan Gary B., Leite-Morris Kimberly A., Fan WenYing, Young Angela J., Guy Marsha D.
Primary Institution: Mental Health Service, VA Boston Healthcare System
Hypothesis
Repeated opiate exposure produces behavioral sensitization that is hypothesized to result from neural plasticity in specific limbic, striatal, and cortical systems.
Conclusion
Repeated and intermittent morphine injections produced progressive increases in motor activity and associated increases in FosB/ΔFosB immunoreactivity in several brain regions.
Supporting Evidence
- Repeated morphine pre-treatment produced increasing motor stimulant effects.
- Mice receiving repeated morphine injections showed significant increases in locomotor activity.
- FosB/ΔFosB levels were significantly induced in multiple brain regions after morphine treatment.
Takeaway
When mice were given morphine multiple times, they became more active and showed changes in their brain that might be linked to addiction.
Methodology
C57BL/6 mice received intermittent morphine or saline treatments, followed by locomotor activity tests and immunohistochemistry to measure FosB/ΔFosB levels.
Limitations
The study used an antibody that measures both FosB and ΔFosB proteins, which may complicate the interpretation of results.
Participant Demographics
Male C57BL/6 mice, weighing 24–26 g.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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