The N-Methyl-D-Aspartic Acid receptor involvement in pain inhibition in the rat ventral and dorsal periaqueductal gray: a comparison across sexes
Date
1998
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Haverford College. Department of Psychology
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Thesis
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Award
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eng
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Haverford users only
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Abstract
The effects of an injection of the excitatory amino acid N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) into the rat periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) were studied in male and female rats to determine whether sex differences existed in the analgesic response reported in males by previous researchers. The animals received NMDA, saline, and morphine injections over three testing events. The drugs were introduced through surgically implanted cannulas and the animals were subsequently tested on the hot plate and tail flick nociceptive tests. The results showed a near significant drug effect from the hot plate paradigm in males, while the corresponding effect in females was not significant. Morphine produced hyperalgesia on the hot plate test for females while failing to produce any algesic effect in males.