The Effect of Glutamate AMPA Receptors Blockade into the Prelimbic on Morphine-induced CPP in Rat

Background: Many parts of the brain involved in addiction disorders. The prelimbic area (PL) is a part of the prefrontal cortex that responds to abuse-related learning and memory. This study was designed to evaluate effect of intra-PL microinjection of AMPA antagonist on the morphine– induced conditioned place preference (CPP). Methods: Male Wistar rats were selected randomly and divided into 12 groups (7 in each group). All rats were anaesthetized with chloral hydrate then the coordination of the PL was found by stereotaxic apparatus and different doses of the CNQX were injected into the PL and CPP curried out in all groups. Findings: The results showed that different doses of the CNQX injections with the effective dose of morphine (5 mg/kg) caused a significant decrease in two phases of the CPP paradigm, while ineffective dose (0.5 mg/kg) of morphine produced aversion effect on the expression phase of the CPP paradigm without significant changes on the acquisition phase. Conclusion: It is possible that, glutamatergic system in the PL via AMPA receptor, plays a key role in memory and learning formation during morphine-induced CPP.