The biphasic effect of morphine on odor conditioning in neonatal rats

Christopher K. Randall, Philipp J. Kraemer, John M. Dose, Timothy J. Carbary, Michael T. Bardo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Three experiments examined the dose‐dependent biphasic effect of morphine on odor conditioning in neonatal rats. In Experiment 1, a single pairing of an odor and a low dose of morphine (0.5 mg/kg) in 5‐day‐old rats produced an odor preference, relative to an unpaired control group. In Experiment 2, pairing an odor with a high dose of morphine (2.0 mg/kg) produced an odor aversion, relative to an unpaired control group. A third experiment compared performance of a group given odor and morphine (2.0 mg/kg) paired to that of two unpaired groups: one given morphine 24 hr prior to and the other 24 hr after odor exposure. The paired group showed an odor aversion relative to both of the unpaired groups, which did not differ. The latter finding suggests that even if morphine metabolism is incomplete after 24 hr, behavior is unaffected. These results are discussed in reference to the functional development of the opioid system in rats © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)355-364
Number of pages10
JournalDevelopmental Psychobiology
Volume25
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1992

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

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