Effect of naloxone on frequency and amplitude of EPSCs in LC neurons of morphine-dependent rats.

<p>The samples traces of sEPSCs before and after application of naloxone (1 μM) in LC neurons of HZ (A), OTH-cut (B) and OTH (C) brain slices taken from morphine dependent rats. The slices were bathed in 5 μM morphine. There was no significant alteration in amplitude and frequency of sEPSCs in LC neurons of HZ and OTH-cut slices following naloxone application. As shown in histograms, the frequency of sEPSCs in LC neurons of OTH brain slices has significantly increased following naloxone application. However, no significant change was observed in the amplitude of sEPSCs after naloxone treatment in OTH brain slices. Histograms show the mean frequency and amplitude of sEPSCs recorded before and after naloxone application. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM, n = 8 in each type of brain slice, *** P < 0.001 versus before naloxone application. Data were analyzed using paired Student’s t-test. NLX: naloxone; LC: locus coeruleus; sEPSCs: spontaneous excitatory post-synaptic currents; HZ: horizontal; OTH-cut: oblique to horizontal-cut; OTH: oblique to horizontal.