Biomaterial Database

Comparison of the effect of morphine on locus coeruleus noradrenergic and ventral tegmental area dopaminergic neurons in vitro. 1990

V Seutin, and N Franchimont, and L Massotte, and A Dresse

Laboratory of Pharmacology, University of Liege, Belgium.

Extracellular single-cell recordings were performed on rat brain slices to compare the effects of morphine on noradrenergic neurons of the locus coeruleus (LC) and on dopaminergic neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Morphine inhibited the firing of LC neurons at very low concentrations. The mean IC50 was 13.4 +/- 1nM (mean +/- SEM) (n = 7). Moreover, the inhibitory effect of morphine was identical in slices obtained from rats anesthetized with chloral hydrate or from non-anesthetized rats. On the contrary, morphine did not have any influence on the firing of most VTA neurons (N = 20) up to 100 microM, and did not modify the sensitivity of their autoreceptors (N = 8). It is concluded that morphine potently inhibits the firing of LC neurons in vitro both in slices of anesthetized and not anesthetized animals and has no direct excitatory effect on VTA dopaminergic neurons of the rat.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008125	Locus Coeruleus	Bluish-colored region in the superior angle of the FOURTH VENTRICLE floor, corresponding to melanin-like pigmented nerve cells which lie lateral to the PERIAQUEDUCTAL GRAY.	Locus Caeruleus Complex,Locus Caeruleus,Locus Ceruleus,Locus Ceruleus Complex,Locus Coeruleus Complex,Nucleus Pigmentosus Pontis,Caeruleus Complex, Locus,Complex, Locus Caeruleus,Complex, Locus Ceruleus,Complex, Locus Coeruleus,Pontis, Nucleus Pigmentosus
D008297	Male		Males
D009020	Morphine	The principal alkaloid in opium and the prototype opiate analgesic and narcotic. Morphine has widespread effects in the central nervous system and on smooth muscle.	Morphine Sulfate,Duramorph,MS Contin,Morphia,Morphine Chloride,Morphine Sulfate (2:1), Anhydrous,Morphine Sulfate (2:1), Pentahydrate,Oramorph SR,SDZ 202-250,SDZ202-250,Chloride, Morphine,Contin, MS,SDZ 202 250,SDZ 202250,SDZ202 250,SDZ202250,Sulfate, Morphine
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D011919	Rats, Inbred Strains	Genetically identical individuals developed from brother and sister matings which have been carried out for twenty or more generations or by parent x offspring matings carried out with certain restrictions. This also includes animals with a long history of closed colony breeding.	August Rats,Inbred Rat Strains,Inbred Strain of Rat,Inbred Strain of Rats,Inbred Strains of Rats,Rat, Inbred Strain,August Rat,Inbred Rat Strain,Inbred Strain Rat,Inbred Strain Rats,Inbred Strains Rat,Inbred Strains Rats,Rat Inbred Strain,Rat Inbred Strains,Rat Strain, Inbred,Rat Strains, Inbred,Rat, August,Rat, Inbred Strains,Rats Inbred Strain,Rats Inbred Strains,Rats, August,Rats, Inbred Strain,Strain Rat, Inbred,Strain Rats, Inbred,Strain, Inbred Rat,Strains, Inbred Rat
D011954	Receptors, Dopamine	Cell-surface proteins that bind dopamine with high affinity and trigger intracellular changes influencing the behavior of cells.	Dopamine Receptors,Dopamine Receptor,Receptor, Dopamine
D011957	Receptors, Opioid	Cell membrane proteins that bind opioids and trigger intracellular changes which influence the behavior of cells. The endogenous ligands for opioid receptors in mammals include three families of peptides, the enkephalins, endorphins, and dynorphins. The receptor classes include mu, delta, and kappa receptors. Sigma receptors bind several psychoactive substances, including certain opioids, but their endogenous ligands are not known.	Endorphin Receptors,Enkephalin Receptors,Narcotic Receptors,Opioid Receptors,Receptors, Endorphin,Receptors, Enkephalin,Receptors, Narcotic,Receptors, Opiate,Endorphin Receptor,Enkephalin Receptor,Normorphine Receptors,Opiate Receptor,Opiate Receptors,Opioid Receptor,Receptors, Normorphine,Receptors, beta-Endorphin,beta-Endorphin Receptor,Receptor, Endorphin,Receptor, Enkephalin,Receptor, Opiate,Receptor, Opioid,Receptor, beta-Endorphin,Receptors, beta Endorphin,beta Endorphin Receptor,beta-Endorphin Receptors
D002697	Chloral Hydrate	A hypnotic and sedative used in the treatment of INSOMNIA.	Noctec,Hydrate, Chloral
D000320	Adrenergic Fibers	Nerve fibers liberating catecholamines at a synapse after an impulse.	Sympathetic Fibers,Adrenergic Fiber,Fiber, Adrenergic,Fiber, Sympathetic,Fibers, Adrenergic,Fibers, Sympathetic,Sympathetic Fiber
D000758	Anesthesia	A state characterized by loss of feeling or sensation. This depression of nerve function is usually the result of pharmacologic action and is induced to allow performance of surgery or other painful procedures.