The Effects of Rhes on Opioid Analgesia

Rhes (Ras homolog enriched in striatum) has been identified as a novel monomeric G-protein involved in dopaminergic and other signaling in the striatum. Given the many effects of opioids that involve striatal circuitry, genetically engineered mice that are incapable of making Rhes (rhes-/-) and their control littermates (rhes+/+) were subjected to behavioral tests to determine if any differences existed in opioid analgesia, tolerance, withdrawal, reward, and locomotion. Rhes-/- mice showed an increased opioid mediated analgesia, along with an absence of tolerance and decrease in withdrawal when compared with rhes+/+ littermates. However, no significant changes were seen in opioid induced locomotor activation or conditioned place preference. These results provide strong evidence for the implication of Rhes in opioid signaling.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year

2010

Author dc:creator

• Lee, Franklin

Contributors dc:contributor

• LaHoste, Gerald J.
• Martel, Michelle M.
• Harrison, Laura

• Rhes
• analgesia
• opioid
• tolerance
• dependence
• GTP-binding protein

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/1254

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.uno.edu:td-2237