AI Article Synopsis
- The study explores how endogenous morphine affects working memory in mice, particularly under stress conditions like fasting.
- It was found that mice with depleted endogenous morphine showed improved memory retention, as reflected in faster entry times during a passive avoidance test.
- These results suggest that endogenous morphine may impair memory under stress, highlighting its potential negative impact on learning processes.
Article Abstract
Memory and the processes of learning in mammals are well known to be affected by opioid agonists such as morphine, which has been proven to interfere and cause amnesia. The presence of endogenous morphine has been demonstrated in various tissues from mammals to invertebrates. In this study, we have investigated the effects caused by in-vivo immunodepletion of endogenous morphine on working memory under different experimental conditions. When mice were submitted to fasting, a stress condition, acquisition and consolidation of memory were significantly impaired compared to controls. This was demonstrated by a decrease in entry latency into the dark room in the retention session of the passive avoidance test. This effect was significantly reversed to baseline values when endogenous morphine was depleted from the extracellular brain space. These findings support a role for endogenous morphine in weakening memory processes under stress conditions.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1461145704004341 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!