Liver function tests in morphine-addicted and in nonaddicted rhesus monkeys.
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Different strategies have been used in an attempt to understand the neurobiology of opioid addiction. Here, Michéle Simonato initially discusses the identification of key anatomical areas involved in the phenomenon and purposes an explanation of opioid addiction based on the theory of complexity. The variable importance of direct and indirect effects in phenotypically different neuronal populations can imply differences in the adaptive changes that occur with chronic morphine exposure. Opioid addiction is therefore proposed as a complex multicellular event, where individual neurones differentially adapt both on the basis of the signals they receive and of their second messengers and genetic programmes.
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The effects of L-Dopa, Methysergid, Diphenhydramine hydrochloride and LSD on the development of morphine dependence and the abstience syndrome after its withdrawal, were tested in experiments on 200 male Wistar albino rats. L-Dopa had no efect on the development of physical morphine dependence, while Methysergid prevented its development. Applied in rats during the abstinence syndrome, LSD intensified their aggressivity with no influence on the analgesic effect of morphine. Diphenhydramine reduced the aggressiveness of the rats during the abstinence syndrome. Biochemical tests show that in morphine-tolerant rats there was an increase in the content of brain serotonin, less of dopamine and no changes in noradrenaline. The significance of the brain levels of serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline for the development of physical morphine-dependence is discussed. It is pointed out that serotonin and dopamine play an important role both for the origin of the physical morphine dependence, and in the abstinence syndrome after its withdrawal.
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BACKGROUND: In the present study a method of rapid opiate detoxification under general anaesthesia has been evaluated regarding the safety, the efficacy in preventing withdrawal symptoms, and the long-term results. In addition, it was investigated whether the profile and severity of withdrawal symptoms depend on the type of opiate abused (methadone, heroin, codeine, morphine). METHODS: Seventy-two opiate addicts were detoxified in an intensive care unit (ICU). Anaesthesia was induced and maintained using propofol infusion. Patients were endotracheally intubated. The opiate receptor antagonist naltrexon was administered into the stomach via a nasogastric tube. Withdrawal symptoms before and after the detoxification treatment were assessed using an objective and a subjective opiate withdrawal scale (OOWS, SOWS). After detoxification patients entered a long-term naltrexone maintenance programme as well as a supportive psychotherapy programme. Vital organ function was monitored using haemodynamic and respiratory parameters as well as body temperature. RESULTS: Organ function parameters were stable during the whole treatment in all patients and no anaesthetic complications were registered. Minor side effects such as bradycardia or hypotension were observed in 20 patients. Compared to patients with pre-existing heroin, codeine, or morphine abuse respectively, patients from the methadone maintenance programme had significantly higher (P<0.01) OOWS as well as SOWS values after the treatment. Twelve months after the detoxification 49 patients (68%) were abstinent from opiates whereas 17 patients had relapsed during the period of follow-up. Six patients were lost during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid opiate detoxification under general anaesthesia is a safe and efficient method to suppress withdrawal symptoms. This treatment may be of benefit in patients who particularly suffer from severe withdrawal symptoms during detoxification and who have failed repeatedly to complete conventional withdrawal. Methadone patients have more withdrawal symptoms than other opiate addicts.
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