Morphine withdrawal increases expression of GABA(A) receptor epsilon subunit 
mRNA in locus coeruleus neurons

Heikkila, AT; Echenko, O; Uusi-Oukari M, Sinkkonen, ST; Korpi, ER

Item

ITEM ACTIONSEXPORT

Add to Basket

Local TagsRelease HistoryDetailsSummary

Released

Journal Article

Morphine withdrawal increases expression of GABA(A) receptor epsilon subunit mRNA in locus coeruleus neurons

MPS-Authors

/persons/resource/persons83895

Echenko, O
Department Physiology of Cognitive Processes, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Max Planck Society;

External Resource

No external resources are shared

Fulltext (restricted access)

There are currently no full texts shared for your IP range.

Fulltext (public)

There are no public fulltexts stored in PuRe

Supplementary Material (public)

There is no public supplementary material available

Citation

Heikkila, A., Echenko, O., Uusi-Oukari M, Sinkkonen, S., & Korpi, E. (2001). Morphine withdrawal increases expression of GABA(A) receptor epsilon subunit mRNA in locus coeruleus neurons. Neuroreport, 12(13), 2981.

Cite as: https://hdl.handle.net/11858/00-001M-0000-0013-E33A-9

Abstract

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 GABA(A) receptors have unique pharmacological properties, most likely due to the enriched expression of GABA(A) 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 GABA(A) receptor subtype(s) in the locus coeruleus neurons during increased neuronal activity.