Lack of neuropeptide Y attenuates the somatic signs of opiate withdrawal

• Published in: Synapse (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2006-12, Vol.60 (7), p.553-556
• Main Authors: Olson, Valerie G., Griner, Nicholas B., Heusner, Carrie L., Palmiter, Richard D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: addiction; Animals; Avoidance Learning - drug effects; Avoidance Learning - physiology; Behavior, Animal - drug effects; Behavior, Animal - physiology; Brain - drug effects; Brain - metabolism; Brain - physiopathology; Brain Chemistry - genetics; conditioned place aversion; Conditioning (Psychology) - drug effects; Conditioning (Psychology) - physiology; dependence; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Down-Regulation - genetics; Fear - drug effects; Fear - physiology; Limbic System - drug effects; Limbic System - metabolism; Limbic System - physiopathology; locus coeruleus; Male; Mice; Mice, Knockout; morphine; Morphine - adverse effects; Motor Activity - drug effects; Motor Activity - genetics; Narcotic Antagonists - pharmacology; Narcotics - adverse effects; Neural Pathways - drug effects; Neural Pathways - metabolism; Neural Pathways - physiopathology; Neuropeptide Y - genetics; Opioid-Related Disorders - genetics; Opioid-Related Disorders - metabolism; Opioid-Related Disorders - physiopathology; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome - genetics; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome - metabolism; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome - physiopathology
• ISSN: 0887-4476; 1098-2396
• DOI: 10.1002/syn.20328

Recent evidence suggests that neuropeptide Y (NPY) may be involved in the neurobiological responses to drugs of abuse. This study was designed to assess the possible contribution of NPY to opiate withdrawal behaviors. Here we report that mice lacking the NPY gene show normal conditioned place aversion to opiate withdrawal, but show attenuated opiate withdrawal somatic signs. Synapse 60:553–556, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.