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Conditioned place preference to morphine in cannabinoid CB1 receptor knockout mice
Onarae V Rice1, Nicarter Gordon, Andrew N Gifford
1Medical Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973, USA.
Brain Research
|July 13, 2002
Summary
The brain cannabinoid system does not appear to contribute to morphine reward. CB1 receptor knockout mice showed normal morphine-induced place preference, suggesting no involvement of this system.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Recent studies suggest the brain cannabinoid system may play a role in the rewarding effects of morphine.
- Understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of drug reward is crucial for developing effective addiction treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the involvement of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor in the rewarding pathway of morphine.
- To determine if the absence of functional CB1 receptors alters morphine-induced conditioned place preference.
Main Methods:
- Utilized CB1 receptor knockout mice and wild-type littermates.
- Assessed conditioned place preference (CPP) following administration of morphine at doses of 4 and 8 mg/kg.
Main Results:
- CB1 receptor knockout mice exhibited a significant conditioned place preference for morphine.
- The observed place preference in knockout mice was comparable to that of wild-type mice.
Conclusions:
- The findings do not support a contribution of the brain cannabinoid system to morphine reward.
- The results suggest that the cannabinoid CB1 receptor is not essential for the development of morphine-induced reward behaviors.