In a relatively recent paper, Baloyannis et al. (1993) performed a
morphological study (both under light and electron microscopy) of the CA1
hippocampus region of 5 opiate users. They reported a substantial dilatation
of the postsynaptic terminals, along with a marked decrease of the number of
the synaptic vesicles in the presynaptic terminals and dilatation of the
synaptic cleft, in the majority of the synapses. The light microscopy also
revealed that numerous dendritic branches demonstrated a string of beads
deformity, as well as a marked loss of dendritic spines.
See:
Baloyannis et al. (1993) "Morphological Study of the Hippocampus in Opiate
Users", Proc. 1st Hell. Conf. Drug Abuse Res., p. 282-294. University
Studio Press, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Has anyone come across any references concerning electrophysiological/
molecular evidence of decreases in the capability of inducing LTP in
morphologically normal/abnormal synapses on apical dendritic spines, in
opiate users?
I am a 3rd year undergraduate medical student, and Im currently working on a
project about the effects of opioid dependance on learning and memory, using
data from molecular, morphological, physiological and computational
approaches. I would much appreciate your help.
Zanos Stavros
Aristotle Univ Scholl of Medicine
Thessaloniki, Greece
