μ-opioid receptors in the stimulation of mesolimbic dopamine activity by ethanol and morphine in Long-Evans rats: a delayed effect of ethanol.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Naltrexone, a non-selective opioid antagonist, decreases the euphoria and positive subjective responses to alcohol in heavy drinkers. It has been proposed that the μ-opioid receptor plays a role in ethanol reinforcement through modulation of ethanol-stimulated mesolimbic dopamine release.

Objectives

To investigate the ability of naltrexone and β-funaltrexamine, an irreversible μ-opioid specific antagonist, to inhibit ethanol-stimulated and morphine-stimulated mesolimbic dopamine release, and to determine whether opioid receptors on mesolimbic neurons contribute to these mechanisms.

Methods

Ethanol-naïve male Long Evans rats were given opioid receptor antagonists either intravenously, subcutaneously, or intracranially into the ventral tegmental area (VTA), fo

SUBMITTER: Valenta JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3707954 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature