Volume 7, Issue 4 (Autumn 2016 -- 2016)                   BCN 2016, 7(4): 283-290 | Back to browse issues page

PMCID: 16362626


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1- Neuroscience Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract:  

The catastrophic effects of opioids use on public health and the economy are documented clearly in numerous studies. Repeated morphine administration can lead to either a decrease (tolerance) or an increase (sensitization) in its behavioral and rewarding effects. Morphine-induced sensitization is a major problem and plays an important role in abuse of the opioid drugs. Studies reported that morphine may exert its effects by the release of nitric oxide (NO). NO is a potent neuromodulator, which is produced by nitric oxide synthase (NOS). However, the exact role of NO in the opioid-induced sensitization is unknown. In this study, we reviewed the role of NO on opioid-induced sensitization in 2 important, rewarding regions of the brain: nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmentum. In addition, we focused on the contribution of NO on opioid-induced sensitization in the limbic system.

Type of Study: Original | Subject: Behavioral Neuroscience
Received: 2016/04/7 | Accepted: 2016/09/1 | Published: 2016/10/1

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