Electrophysiological Mechanism Of Opioid Withdrawal In SON Neurons In Brain Slices From Morphine Tolerant And Dependent Rats

The control of homeostasis and autonomic functions by supraoptic nuclei (SON) magnocellular neurons is achieved mainly by humoral means. There is now abundant literature on the involvement of posterior pituitary hormones not only in several CNS functions including thermoregulation, cardiovascular regulation, pregnancy, laboring and lactating, but also in regulation of learning, memory, stress and immuning response. Recordings obtained in vivo revealed that neurosecretory cells can respond to a variety of physiological stimuli including stressing, suckling, elevation in plasma osmotic pressure and the end of pregnancy, by the release of posterior pituitary hormones into a vascular space through the process know as neurosecretion. The firing patterns of SON magnocellular neurons play a key role on the release of posterior pituitary hormones. The firing pattern is mainly determined by the intrinsic membrane properties. Since modulation of firing pattern is an important aspect of neural and humoral subtle control...