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Effects of morphine on sleep in the cat

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Abstract

The effects of morphine sulfate, 300 μg/kg s.c., on the sleep of cats was studied by electroencephalographic techniques. In contrast to placebo experiments the animals were awake for approximately 6 h after administration of morphine; the return of regular sleep patterns occurred after about 11 h. A rebound increase in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep time and percentage was noted during the 11th through the 17th hour of the study. Sleep following manual sleep deprivation for 10 h showed a rebound increase in REM and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep time. NREM sleep rebound after manual sleep deprivation exceeded that occurring after morphine. The alerting actions of morphine could be blocked by naloxone, 100 μg/kg s.c., for about 90 min. Naloxone alone increased REM sleep time and percentage. Single (84 mg/kg) or multiple (51 mg/kg for 4 injections) doses of dl-α-methyltyrosine i.p. did not block the alerting action or REM sleep rebound caused by morphine. 5-Hydrotryptophan (30 mg/kg) i.p. did not antagonize the alerting action of morphine.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, Emory University, 30322, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

    Stanley D. Echols & Robert E. Jewett

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  1. Stanley D. Echols
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  2. Robert E. Jewett
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A predoctoral fellow of Graduate Pharmacology Training Grant 2T1-GM179.

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Echols, S.D., Jewett, R.E. Effects of morphine on sleep in the cat. Psychopharmacologia 24, 435–448 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00402538

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00402538

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