Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
9921443 European Journal of Pharmacology 2005 4 Pages PDF
Abstract
Enhanced excitatory neurotransmission in the mesocorticolimbic system may contribute to the persistence of addiction behaviour. Here, we demonstrated that glutamate-, N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)- and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA)-induced [3H]-γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release from superfused rat nucleus accumbens core slices is profoundly enhanced 3 weeks, but not 3 days, after a single s.c. morphine injection. This delayed increase in glutamate receptor functioning is associated with enhanced gene transcript levels of ionotropic NMDA and AMPA/kainate receptor subunits. These data reveal that morphine may progressively enhance glutamate neurotransmission within the nucleus accumbens core subsequent to drug exposure.
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