Blockade of Serotonin 5-HT_2A Receptors Suppresses Behavioral Sensitization and Naloxone-Precipitated Withdrawal Symptoms in Morphine-Treated Mice.

ABSTRACT: The increasing prescription of opioids is fueling an epidemic of addiction and overdose deaths. Morphine is a highly addictive drug characterized by a high relapse rate - even after a long period of abstinence. Serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission participates in the development of morphine dependence, as well as the expression of morphine withdrawal. In this study, we examined the effect of blockade of 5-HT_2A receptors (5-HT_2ARs) on morphine-induced behavioral sensitization and withdrawal in male mice. 5-HT_2AR antagonist MDL 11,939 (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) suppressed acute morphine (5.0 mg/kg, s.c.)-induced increase in locomotor activity. Mice received morphine (10 mg/kg, s.c.) twice a day for 3 days and then drug treatment was suspended for 5 days. On day 9, a cha

SUBMITTER: Pang G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5183621 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature