GABAB receptors within the ventral tegmental area are involved in the expression and acquisition of morphine-induced place preference in morphine-sensitized rats

Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2009 Jan;91(3):409-16. doi: 10.1016/j.pbb.2008.08.015. Epub 2008 Aug 23.

Abstract

The influence of intra-ventral tegmental area administration of gamma-amino-butyric-acid-B (GABAB) receptor agonist and antagonist on the expression and acquisition of morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in morphine-sensitized female rats was examined. Our pilot experiment showed that subcutaneous administration of morphine-(2.5, 5 and 7.5 mg/kg) induced CPP. Administration of one dose daily morphine (5 mg/kg) for 3 days followed by 5 days rest, enhanced the conditioning induced by ineffective doses of morphine (0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg). Injections of GABAB receptor agonist, baclofen, (1.5 and 12 microg/rat) reduced the expression of morphine CPP whereas the dose of 6 microg/rat of the drug increased it. Baclofen also significantly reduced the acquisition of morphine CPP in morphine-sensitized animals. Administration of GABAB receptor antagonist, CGP 35348, significantly reduced the expression (12 microg/rat) and acquisition (1.5, 6 and 12 microg/rat) of morphine CPP in morphine-sensitized animals. In conclusion, results confirmed the importance of GABAB receptors within the ventral tegmental area of morphine CPP in morphine-sensitized female rats.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Baclofen / pharmacology
  • Conditioning, Operant / drug effects*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • GABA Agonists / pharmacology
  • GABA Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Microinjections
  • Morphine / administration & dosage
  • Morphine / pharmacology*
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Narcotics / administration & dosage
  • Narcotics / pharmacology*
  • Organophosphorus Compounds / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptors, GABA-A / drug effects
  • Receptors, GABA-A / physiology*
  • Receptors, GABA-B / drug effects
  • Reinforcement, Psychology
  • Ventral Tegmental Area / drug effects
  • Ventral Tegmental Area / physiology*

Substances

  • GABA Agonists
  • GABA Antagonists
  • Narcotics
  • Organophosphorus Compounds
  • Receptors, GABA-A
  • Receptors, GABA-B
  • Morphine
  • CGP 35348
  • Baclofen