Chronic morphine induces visible changes in the morphology of mesolimbic dopamine neurons.
Sklair-Tavron L, Shi W, Lane S, Harris H, Bunney B, Nestler E. Chronic morphine induces visible changes in the morphology of mesolimbic dopamine neurons. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 1996, 93: 11202-11207. PMID: 8855333, PMCID: PMC38308, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.93.20.11202.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVTA dopamine neuronsVentral tegmental areaChronic morphine treatmentDopamine neuronsMorphine treatmentBrain regionsBrain-derived neurotrophic factorIntra-VTA infusionMorphine-treated ratsOpioid receptor antagonistChronic opiate exposureMesolimbic dopamine neuronsFluorescent dye Lucifer yellowMesolimbic dopamine functionMesolimbic dopamine systemImportant neural substrateDye Lucifer yellowNondopaminergic neuronsVTA neuronsChronic morphineOpiate exposureConcomitant treatmentDopaminergic neuronsNeurotrophic factorReceptor antagonist