ISSN:
1432-2072
Keywords:
Morphine
;
Dependence
;
Water
;
Saline
;
Sucrose
;
Preference Test
;
Ingestion
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Rats were given ad libitum morphine water, saline morphine, or sucrose morphine as their only source of liquid. Measures of liquid, food, caloric, and morphine intake along with body weight were taken daily, thereby monitoring the effects of morphine ingestion on these indices, and observing the course of dependence over time. To assess the degree of dependence the animals were given a two-bottle choice test between the drug solution and the vehicle, following a suitable ingestion period. The results indicated that the rats neglected morphine water and saline morphine in favor of the drug-free alternative. Concomitant morphine withdrawal signs (body weight loss, anorexia, adipsia, rhinorrhea, diarrhea, and irritability) were observed, thus indicating the animals were drug dependent. When morphine was given in sucrose solutions, the rats showed a marked preference for the drug solution over the vehicle.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00429188
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