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Morphine self-administration following spinal cord injury
Sarah A Woller1, Jamal S Malik, Miriam Aceves
11 Texas A&M University Institute for Neuroscience , Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, Texas.
Journal of Neurotrauma
|May 16, 2014
Summary
Opioid addiction potential may not decrease in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI)-related neuropathic pain. Rodent studies show that SCI animals with neuropathic pain self-administered high doses of morphine, suggesting caution is needed when prescribing these pain medications.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Spinal Cord Injury Research
Background:
- Neuropathic pain affects up to two-thirds of individuals post-spinal cord injury (SCI).
- Opioids are commonly prescribed for SCI pain, but concerns exist regarding addiction potential.
- Previous research suggested reduced addiction risk in neuropathic pain, but data is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the addictive potential of morphine in a rodent model of SCI.
- To determine if neuropathic pain alters morphine self-administration behavior.
Main Methods:
- A rodent model of spinal contusion injury was used.
- Animals underwent morphine self-administration tests at 24 hours, 14 days, and 35 days post-injury.
- Morphine intake and locomotor function were monitored.
Main Results:
- In the acute phase (24h), injured animals self-administered less morphine than controls.
- Animals with SCI-induced neuropathic pain (14d and 35d post-injury) self-administered morphine at levels comparable to controls.
- High morphine intake did not impact locomotor recovery but caused significant weight loss.
Conclusions:
- The potential for morphine addiction is not reduced in rodents with SCI-related neuropathic pain.
- Caution is advised when prescribing opioids for SCI neuropathic pain due to sustained addictive potential.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term implications of opioid use in SCI patients.