Continuous quantitative monitoring of spontaneous opiate withdrawal : Locomotor activity and sleep disorders

摘要: Abstract The time course of drug abstinence is not readily amenable to examination using intermittent observations, because known interfere with circadian rhythms general activity. Accordingly, we propose a model for continuous assessment spontaneous withdrawal without any intervention by the investigator. This based on automatic recording locomotor Experiments were performed in rectangular activity cages equiped two infrared photoelectric cells. In parallel experiment, confirm effects, monitoring EEG activities was achieved from cortical and one reference electrodes. Morphine dependence induced intraperitoneal injections increasing doses morphine twice daily 10 days (from 5 up 90 mg/kg). Behavioral recorded 8 following last injection morphine. Although control rats displayed typical pattern characterized nocturnal hyperactivity that markedly reduced during light phase, opiate abstinent developed constant motor first 3 or 4 postinjection associated drastic reduction overall rapid eye movment sleep (REM) non-REM an increase waking (W). morphine-abstinent slowly resumed normal cycle after fourth day terms horizontal activity, REMS, NREMS W, long-term effects revealed permanent instability both dark phases when total amount photocell counts considered, perturbation rhythm ratio REM time. Automatic behavior appears be useful index which follow, over extended period time, acute consequences abstinence. Therefore, withdrawal-induced changes could suitable validation antiabstinence therapies.