Effects of Mu-Opioid Receptors on Addictive Behaviors
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Authors
Fedolak, Allison C.
Issue Date
2004
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
The role of knocked out mu-opioid receptors was investigated on taste reactions and
locomotor activity in this study. Three different genotype strains of mice (mu-receptor
knockout, heterozygote and wildtype) were examined. Each group was given a small
concentration of sucrose (0.0 M, 0.01 M, 0.1 M, and 1.0 M). Using taste reactivity
analysis, the reactions to their drinking bouts were recorded, to determine the type of
reaction encountered (hedonic, neutral or aversive). Locomotor activity was recorded by
analyzing the amount of nose pokes and rearings exhibited by the mice. Results show that
there was a significant effect for mu-opioid knockout receptor mice and a greater number
of aversive reactions across sucrose concentrations, compared to heterozygote and
wildtype mice. There was a significant effect for mu-opioid receptor knockout mice and
hedonic taste reactions, showing that there was a decrease of hedonic reactions compared
to heterozygote and wildtype mice. There were no significant effects for neutral taste
reactions and locomotor activity. The data suggest that there is a "disliked" effect for muopioid
knockout mice. This means that there is a difference in a "wanted" and "liked"
behavior in relation to mu-opioid receptors. These results could imply that there is a link
between "liked" behavior and addiction.
Description
vi, 47 p.
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