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- Title
Effects of Morphine on Thermal Sensitivity in Adult and Aged Rats.
- Authors
Morgan, Drake; Mitzelfelt, Jeremiah D.; Koerper, Lorraine M.; Carter, Christy S.
- Abstract
There are contradictory data regarding older individuals’ sensitivity to pain stimulation and opioid administration. Adult (12–16 months; n = 10) and aged (27–31 months; n = 7) male F344xBN rats were tested in a thermal sensitivity procedure where the animal chooses to remain in one of two compartments with floors maintained at various temperatures ranging from hot (45°C) through neutral (30°C) to cold (15°C). Effects of morphine were determined for three temperature comparisons (ie, hot/neutral, cold/neutral, and hot/cold). Aged rats were more sensitive to cold stimulation during baseline. Morphine produced antinociception during hot thermal stimulation, but had no effect on cold stimulation. The antinociceptive (and locomotor-altering) effects of morphine were attenuated in aged rats. These data demonstrate age-related differences in baseline thermal sensitivity and responsiveness to opioids. Based on behavioral and physiological requirements of this procedure, it is suggested that thermal sensitivity may provide a relevant animal model for the assessment of pain and antinociception.
- Subjects
MORPHINE; LABORATORY rats; AGING; TEMPERATURE; BODY temperature regulation
- Publication
Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences & Medical Sciences, 2012, Vol 67, Issue 7, p705
- ISSN
1079-5006
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/gerona/glr210