Expression of morphine-conditioned hyperactivity is attenuated by naloxone and pimozide

Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1987;93(3):314-9. doi: 10.1007/BF00187249.

Abstract

The present experiments assessed whether morphine-conditioned hyperactivity could be attenuated by either the opiate antagonist naloxone or the dopamine antagonist pimozide. Both of these antagonists were shown to block the unconditioned hyperactivity induced by 2 mg/kg morphine (Experiment 1). Rats were then conditioned by pairing this dose of morphine repeatedly with a distinctive environment (Experiment 2). Following several drug-environment pairings, rats displayed a hyperactive conditioned response (CR) when exposed to the environment in the absence of the drug. CR expression was counteracted by 1 mg/kg naloxone and was attenuated by pimozide (0.25, 0.33, and 0.4 mg/kg) in a dose-related manner. These findings suggest that the unconditioned and conditioned hyperactive responses produced by morphine may involve similar neuropharmacologic substrates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Conditioning, Classical / drug effects*
  • Hyperkinesis / chemically induced*
  • Male
  • Morphine / pharmacology*
  • Naloxone / pharmacology*
  • Pimozide / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Receptors, Dopamine / metabolism
  • Receptors, Opioid / metabolism

Substances

  • Receptors, Dopamine
  • Receptors, Opioid
  • Pimozide
  • Naloxone
  • Morphine