The effects of bilateral cingulate cortex lesions on morphine withdrawal symptoms in rats

Abstract

In order to test the hypothesis that bilateral cingulate cortex lesions prevent opiate dependence and associated withdrawal symptoms, rats were given access to sucrose morphine solutions and subsequently challenged with nalorphine, an opiate antagonist. Animals with cingulate cortex lesions lost more weight following the nalorphine challenge than other animals, indicating that the lesions do not prevent withdrawal symptoms. On the contrary, the lesions are associated with more severe symptoms, and by inference, physiological dependence as well.