Chinemelum Ezeokonkwo
Research Mentor(s): Emily Jutkiewicz
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Pharmacology Department
Presentation Date: 08/03/2022
Presentation Type: Poster
Poster Number: 43
Session: Session I: 12:30 – 1:20pm
Room: League Ballroom
Authors: chinemelum Ezeokonkwo, Emily Jutkiewicz, PH. D
Abstract
Morphine is a known drug of abuse. It activates the mu-opioid receptor and functions as an agonist. Morphine is the most abundant analgesic opiate and potent pain reliever that acts by binding to opioid receptors in the body. Mu-agonists are known to have rewarding properties and stimulate dopamine release to behaviors that are associated with dopamine release and opioid use disorder are opioid induced locomotor activity and sensitization following repeated drug administration. Female mice have been shown to be more sensitive to the rewarding effects of opioids and other drugs of abuse. The goal of this project is to determine if intermittent morphine administration produces a similar amount of locomotor sensitization in both male and female C57BL/6N mice. I hypothesize that intermittent morphine administration will induce sensitization, but it might be greater in females than in males.
Mice used in this study were C57BL/6N black mice. They were single housed in standard cages which were placed into a chamber with infrared beams that measured around the x, y and z axis in one-inch intervals and locomotor activity was measured by beam breaks. I evaluated the dose effect curve of morphine as well as what happens to morphine after administration.
