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Opiate withdrawal during development: are NMDA receptors indispensable?

H Zhu1, G A Barr

  • 1Biopsychology Doctoral Program, Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA.

Trends in Pharmacological Sciences
|August 2, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Opiate tolerance and withdrawal mechanisms are complex. While NMDA receptors are key in adults, they are ineffective in neonates, suggesting developmental roles for other glutamate receptors.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Opiate tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal mechanisms remain unclear.
  • NMDA receptors are implicated in opiate-induced neuroplasticity in adult animals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss the dynamic roles of glutamate receptors in opiate tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal during development.
  • To evaluate the role of NMDA receptors in neonatal opiate withdrawal.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature on glutamate receptor function in opiate effects during ontogeny.
  • Analysis of data regarding NMDA receptor antagonist efficacy in neonatal rat models.

Main Results:

  • NMDA receptor complex undergoes developmental changes affecting its role in opiate withdrawal.
  • NMDA receptor antagonists do not block morphine tolerance, dependence, or withdrawal in neonatal rats.

Conclusions:

  • The role of NMDA receptors in opiate withdrawal differs significantly between adult and neonatal stages.
  • Other glutamate receptor types, such as metabotropic glutamate receptors, may play crucial roles in neonatal opiate effects.

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