Brain Amines in Drug Addiction.
Abstract
Young animals were addicted over a period of seven days. Addiction was tested in selected animals with administration of naloxone demonstrating the typical withdrawal symptoms. Catecholamines (CA) were examined in specific regions of the brain by chemical analysis and fluorescence histochemistry. No significant changes were found in norepinephrine (NE) levels in the medulla, pons, cerebellum or various parts of the cerebral cortex. NE levels were markedly increased in the hypothalamus and the cingulate cortex during addiction. In control animals, fine CA varicosities were found histochemically along the ventral margin of the cingulate cortex adjacent to the corpus callosum. These have not been described previously. In addicted animals similar varicosities were found distributed throughout the cingulate cortex with highest localization in the ventromedial regions. In addicted animals CA fluorescence was decreased in certain regions of the hypothalamus and in the cerebral vasculature. In addition to the hypothalamic changes NE fibers in the cingulate cortex may play a significant role in opiate addiction. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA020512
Entities
People
- E. T. Angelakos
Organizations
- Hahnemann University Hospital