Facilitation of memory processing by posttrial morphine: possible involvement of reinforcement mechanisms?

Posttrial administration of 40 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, but not of 1 mg/kg, of morphine hydrochloride facilitates learning of a one-trial passive avoidance task in drug-naive mice. The effect does not depend on the punishing properties of the morphine injection, since in injection of LiCl (a strong puni...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychopharmacology 1979-06, Vol.63 (3), p.297-300
Main Authors: Mondadori, C, Waser, P G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Avoidance Learning - drug effects
Lithium - pharmacology
Male
Memory - drug effects
Mice
Morphine - pharmacology
Reinforcement (Psychology)
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Summary:Posttrial administration of 40 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, but not of 1 mg/kg, of morphine hydrochloride facilitates learning of a one-trial passive avoidance task in drug-naive mice. The effect does not depend on the punishing properties of the morphine injection, since in injection of LiCl (a strong punisher) fails to enhance learning in a similar way. After the establishment of tolerance by several morphone administrations, the 100 mg/kg, but not the 40 mg/kg, dose level resulted in memory facilitation. The data are discussed in connection with the hypothesis that morphine acts directly on reinforcement mechanisms by activating the opiate receptor.
ISSN:0033-3158
1432-2072
DOI:10.1007/BF00433566