OPEN-FIELD BEHAVIOR OF RATS CHRONICALLY RECEIVING MORPHINE

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 41  (5) , 537-541
Abstract
Administration of morphine for 15 days in doses of 20-120 mg/kg, injected twice daily produced initially a depression followed by an increased locomotor activity, more pronounced grooming behavior and less so, rearing. Abnormal forms of behavior like combined arrests and rapid movements, circling, stereotyped gnawing were also observed. Abstinence provoked by withdrawal of morphine or nalorphine was characterized predominantly by the stimulation of locomotion and grooming with depressed rearing.