Chronic morphine administration in cats: effects on sleep and EEG

Sleep-wakefulness and EEG responses to a chronic morphine treatment (2 mg/kg/day, IP, during 15 days) were studied in 8 cats provided with electrodes for EEG, EMG and EOG records. Results indicated that, in contrast to a resistance of the cats to exhibit overt signs of tolerance in the immediate behavioral and EEG responses to morphine, tolerance developed in sleep since: 1) there was a reduction in its onset latency after the initial insomnia period; 2) despite that the initial insomnia period was present throughout the treatment, compared to the effects of the first MS day, the total amount of both NREM sleep and REM sleep significantly increased in subsequent drug days, the total amount of REM sleep reached similar placebo values from day 5; 3) the restoration in the total amount of both sleep states was due to significant increases that occurred from day 5 after the first 6 hours of the MS injection. During the 19-24 hours after MS injections, increases of NREM and REM also resulted statistically significant compared to placebo values. A biphasic depressed and aroused response occurred during early withdrawal. REM sleep rebound was present after MS discontinuation and in the following week. Similarities with effects of opiate chronic administration in other species are discussed. These results support the potential use of the cat for the study of neural mechanisms involved in sleep chronic effects of opiates.