Abstract
Ribonuclease protection assays (RPA) were performed to quantify μ- opioid receptor mRNA expression in specific brain regions of day 70 Rhesus Macaque fetuses that were exposed to cocaine (3 mg/kg) or saline from days 22-70 of gestation. The content of μ-receptor mRNA was high in the diencephalon and moderate in the mesencephalon. In contrast, μ-receptor mRNA was lightly expressed in areas such as the frontal codex, striatum and the temporal lobe. The content of μ-opioid receptor mRNA was significantly higher in the diencephalon than in other brain regions (P < 0.001; n = 4). Cocaine exposure significantly decreased the expression of μ-receptor mRNA in the fetal diencephalon (P < 0.05; n = 4 in each group). Our data would indicate that prolonged gestational cocaine exposure causes μ-opioid receptor mRNA down-regulation in specific brain regions of the fetus.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 45-48 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Neuroscience Letters |
Volume | 261 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 12 1999 |
Keywords
- Cocaine
- Monkey fetus
- Ribonuclease protection assay
- μ-Opioid receptors
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Neuroscience