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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doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2005.02.009, hdl.handle.net/1765/62080
European Journal of Pharmacology
Department of Molecular Genetics

Jacobs, E., Wardeh, A., Smit, A., & Schoffelmeer, A. (2005). Morphine causes a delayed increase in glutamate receptor functioning in the nucleus accumbens core. European Journal of Pharmacology, 511(1), 27–30. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2005.02.009