The Neurochemical Systems that Mediate Antinociception in spinalized Rats
Abstract
We have previously shown that exposure to three brief (2 sec) 3.0 mA shocks elicits an opioid hypoalgesia, and that exposure to longer (75 sec) tailshocks elicits a nonopioid hypoalgesia in spinalized rats. The present study explores whether cholinergic and noradrenergic systems play a role in the production of these antinociceptive effects. Experiment 1, showed that the cholinergic antagonist scopolamine elicits hyperalgesia in spinalized rats, but does not affect the magnitude of antinociception observed after either brief or long tailshocks. Experiment 2 showed that alpha-2- noradrenergic antagonist yohimbine does not affect baseline levels of pain reactivity. Yohimbine did, however, attenuate the antinociception observed after both shock schedules. Implications of the results are discussed.
Description
Program year: 1990/1991Digitized from print original stored in HDR
Subject
opioid hypoalgesianonopioid hypoalgesia
spinalized rats
alpha-2- noradrenergic antagonist yohimbine
antinociception
Citation
Chen, Ping-Sun (Kevin) (1991). The Neurochemical Systems that Mediate Antinociception in spinalized Rats. University Undergraduate Fellow. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /CAPSTONE -ElliotG _1982.