Severe Deficit in Brain Reward Function Associated
with Fentanyl Withdrawal in Rats
by
Bruijnzeel AW, Lewis B, Bajpai LK,
Morey TE, Dennis DM, Gold M.
Psychiatry (AWB, BL).
Biol Psychiatry. 2005 Sep 16;

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: During the last decade, there has been a strong increase in the use of the mu-opioid receptor agonist fentanyl. The aim of these studies was to investigate the effects of fentanyl withdrawal on brain reward function and somatic withdrawal signs. METHODS: Fentanyl and saline were chronically administered via minipumps. An intracranial self-stimulation procedure was used to provide a measure of brain reward function. Somatic signs were recorded from a checklist of opioid abstinence signs. RESULTS: The opioid receptor antagonist naloxone induced a dose-dependent elevation in brain reward thresholds and somatic withdrawal signs in fentanyl-treated rats. Discontinuation of fentanyl administration resulted in a time-dependent elevation of brain reward thresholds and somatic withdrawal signs. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that fentanyl withdrawal is associated with affective and somatic withdrawal signs. The severity of the deficit in brain reward function in this animal model suggests that affective fentanyl withdrawal symptoms may be a strong deterrent to abstinence.

Mu receptors
Endomorphins
Fentanyl for cats
Fentanyl analogs
Fentanyl: synthesis
Transdermal fentanyl
Push-button fentanyl
Gene therapy for pain
The poppy-seed defence
Fentanyl: subjective effects
Opioids, mood and cognition
Fentanyl plus ketamine for pain-relief

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