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Changes in responsiveness to mu and kappa opiates following a series of convulsions

A Mansour, E S Valenstein

    Experimental Neurology
    |October 1, 1985
    PubMed

    Insights

    Electroconvulsive shocks (ECS) altered how mice respond to opiates. ECS changed mu-opioid responses from non-opiate to opiate mechanisms, while kappa-opioid responses showed enhanced sensitivity.

    Area of Science:

    • Neuropharmacology
    • Behavioral Neuroscience
    • Opioid Research

    Background:

    • Electroconvulsive shock (ECS) is a therapeutic intervention with complex neurobiological effects.
    • Opioid receptors (mu and kappa) mediate distinct physiological responses.
    • Understanding how ECS alters opioid receptor function is crucial for pain management and neurological treatments.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the impact of electroconvulsive shocks (ECS) on the convulsant effects of mu- and kappa-opioid agonists in mice.
    • To determine if ECS alters the mechanism of opiate-induced convulsions.
    • To assess changes in sensitivity and stereoselectivity of opioid receptor subtypes post-ECS.

    Main Methods:

    • Mice (C57BL/6J) were subjected to seven electroconvulsive shocks (ECS).
    • Convulsant effects of mu- and kappa-opioid agonists were assessed in control and ECS-treated mice.
    • Naltrexone blockade and stereoselectivity were used to characterize the opioid mechanisms involved.
    • Sensitivity to the non-opiate convulsant strychnine was measured to control for general seizure susceptibility.

    Main Results:

    • ECS induced a qualitative shift in mu-agonist response, changing from non-opiate to naltrexone-sensitive opiate mechanisms.
    • ECS enhanced sensitivity to kappa-opioid agonists, which remained naltrexone-sensitive and stereoselective.
    • Increased seizure susceptibility was not observed, as strychnine sensitivity remained unchanged after ECS.

    Conclusions:

    • Electroconvulsive shock (ECS) significantly alters the neuropharmacological response to mu-opioid agonists, revealing a qualitative change in their mechanism of action.
    • ECS enhances sensitivity to kappa-opioid agonists, indicating a modulation of kappa-receptor mediated pathways.
    • These findings suggest distinct effects of ECS on mu- and kappa-opioid systems, independent of generalized seizure susceptibility.

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