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Associate and non-associative tolerance to morphine: support for a dual-process habituation model
R I Dafters1, J Odber, J Miller
1Psychology Department, Glasgow University, Scotland.
Life Sciences
|January 1, 1988
Summary
This study explored morphine analgesic tolerance, finding that lower doses and longer intervals between doses accelerate tolerance development and retention. These results support a dual-process habituation model over Pavlovian conditioning.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Morphine analgesic tolerance is a complex phenomenon.
- Existing models, like Pavlovian conditioning, may not fully explain tolerance development.
- A dual-process habituation model proposes combined associative and non-associative mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test unique predictions of a dual-process habituation model of morphine tolerance.
- To examine how drug-signal conditions and dose/frequency parameters interact in tolerance development.
- To differentiate the proposed model from Pavlovian conditioning accounts.
Main Methods:
- Investigated interactions between drug-signal conditions and dose/frequency parameters.
- Examined tolerance acquisition, retention, and associative tolerance levels.
- Compared results against predictions from a dual-process habituation model and Pavlovian conditioning.
Main Results:
- Low morphine doses and long interdrug intervals (IDIs) led to faster tolerance acquisition.
- Low doses and long IDIs also resulted in greater tolerance retention.
- Higher levels of associative tolerance were observed with low doses and long IDIs.
Conclusions:
- Findings support the dual-process habituation model of morphine tolerance.
- The observed pattern of results cannot be explained by Pavlovian conditioning alone.
- The study discusses the generality of these findings to other drugs and response measures.