A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Morphine withdrawal increases expression of GABA(A) receptor epsilon subunit mRNA in locus coeruleus neurons
Authors: Heikkilä AT, Echenko O, Uusi-Oukari M, Sinkkonen ST, Korpi ER
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Publication year: 2001
Journal:: NeuroReport
Volume: 12
Issue: 13
First page : 2981
Last page: 2985
eISSN: 1473-558X
Web address : https://ovidsp-tx-ovid-com.ezproxy.utu.fi/sp-3.32.0a/ovidweb.cgi?QS2=434f4e1a73d37e8c64b5117be1bf78b1e79c41f439b17b9da9301095b87a19ac7d5d5f5719bec3888ffaeb533c437eea85a64df4378ca6a631df9ef95d8c8f9f30c7408bfb973a9c717ce6d7542bbe91d46a18819c7a95d03ca7cbe163b
An increase in the activity of brain stem locus coeruleus noradrenergic
neurons has been hypothesised to be a major factor accounting for opiate
withdrawal symptoms. These neurons are under GABAergic inhibition.
Their GABAA receptors have unique pharmacological properties, most
likely due to the enriched expression of GABAA receptor subtypes
containing novel epsilon and straight theta subunits. Using in situ
hybridisation of cryostat sections, we now report a significant increase
in the epsilon subunit mRNA expression after precipitation of opioid
withdrawal by naloxone. Similar changes were detected in tyrosine
hydroxylase mRNA expression. The results suggest increased formation of
unique GABAA receptor subtype(s) in the locus coeruleus neurons during
increased neuronal activity.
