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Acupuncture at SI5 attenuates morphine seeking behavior after extinction.
Bong Hyo Lee1, Jeong Hun Ma, Sunghyun In
1Department of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Acupoint, College of Oriental Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Daegu 706-828, South Korea. dlqhdgy@dhu.ac.kr
Neuroscience Letters
|September 22, 2012
Summary
Acupuncture at the SI5 acupoint can reduce the urge to seek morphine again. This effect may involve the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor system, as blocking these receptors prevented acupuncture
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Integrative Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Previous research indicates acupuncture can reduce morphine dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
- Morphine relapse, or reinstatement of seeking behavior, is a significant challenge in addiction treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of acupuncture in preventing the reinstatement of morphine-seeking behavior in a rat model.
- To explore the potential involvement of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in acupuncture's effects on morphine relapse.
Main Methods:
- Rats were trained to self-administer morphine, followed by an extinction period.
- Morphine seeking behavior was reinstated using a priming dose of morphine.
- Acupuncture was applied at the SI5 acupoint or a control acupoint (LI5) before morphine priming.
- GABA receptor antagonists were administered to assess their role in acupuncture's effects.
Main Results:
- Acupuncture at the SI5 acupoint significantly attenuated the reinstatement of morphine-seeking behavior.
- Acupuncture at the control acupoint LI5 did not show this effect.
- The attenuating effect of SI5 acupuncture was blocked by GABA receptor antagonists.
Conclusions:
- Acupuncture, specifically at the SI5 acupoint, shows potential in reducing morphine relapse.
- The gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor system appears to mediate the anti-relapse effects of acupuncture for morphine.
- These findings suggest acupuncture as a complementary therapy for managing opioid use disorder.
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