Abstract
Supersensitivity to serotonin during migraine attack has been previously observed. Since the attack has been attributed to a critical lowering of morphine-like factors, we can expect serotonin supersensitivity during morphine abstinence. Slight signs of morphine abstinence have also been induced in volunteers after mild (10–24 mg/day) and limited (3 days) treatment. To evaluate the sensitivity to serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, and tyramine in the smooth muscle of the hand dorsal vein, in vivo, the computerized venotest was applied before, during, and 24 h after withdrawal of morphine. Venous sensitivity to serotonin and dopamine (but not to noradrenaline and tyramine) increased 10- to 20-fold after morphine withdrawal.
Venous monoamine supersensitivity in morphine abstinence, similar to that observed during migraine attacks, could be indirect evidence of an analogous mechanism in both conditions.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anthony, M., Hinterberger, H., Lance, J. H.: Plasma serotonin in migraine and stress. Arch. Neurol. 16, 544–552 (1967)
Burt, D. R., Creese, I., Snyder, S. H.: Antischizophrenic drugs: Chronic treatment elevates dopamine receptor binding in brain. Science 196, 326–328 (1977)
Del Bianco, P. L., Sicuteri, F.: Computerized venospasm: A method for exploring the neurovascular junction in man. J. Pharmacol. Methods. 1, 329–340 (1978)
Fanciullacci, M., Franchi, G., Sicuteri, F.: Hypersensitivity to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25 and psilocybin) in essential headache. Experientia 30, 1441–1442 (1974)
Fanciullacci, M., Galli, P., Pietrini, U., Sicuteri, F.: Adrenergic supersensitivity of the pupil in idiopathic headache. Experientia 33, 1082–1083 (1977)
Fleming, W. W.: Variable sensitivity of excitable cells: Possible mechanism and biological significance. In: Review of neuroscience, vol 2. S. Ehzenpries and I. J. Kopin, eds., pp. 43–90. New York: Raven 1976
Føg-Moller, F., Kemp, G., Bryndum, B.: Changes in concentration of catecholamines in blood during spontaneous migraine attacks and reserpine-induced attacks. In: Current concepts in migraine research, R. Greene, ed., pp. 115–119. New York: Raven 1978
Halliwell, J. V., Kumar, R.: Influence of morphine dependence and withdrawal on circling behaviour in rats with unilateral nigral lesions. Br. J. Pharmacol. 59, 454P-455P (1977)
Höllt, V., Dum, J., Bläsig, J., Schubert, P., Herz, A.: Comparison of in vivo and in vitro parameters of opiate receptors binding in naive and tolerant/dependent rodents. Life Sci. 16, 1823–1828 (1975)
Klee, A., Streaty, R. A.: Narcotic receptor sites in morphine-dependent rats. Nature 248, 61–63 (1974)
Lal, H.: Narcotic dependence, narcotic action and dopamine receptors. Life Sci. 17, 483–496 (1975)
Pluchino, S., Trendelenburg, U.: The influence of denervation and of decentralization on the alpha and beta effects of isoproterenol on the nictitating membrane of the pithed cat. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 163, 257–265 (1968)
Puri, S. K., Lal, H.: Reduced threshold to pain induced aggression specifically related to morphine dependence. Psychopharmacology 35, 237–241 (1974)
Salmon, S., Fanciullacci, M., Bonciani, M., Sicuteri, F.: Plasma tryptophan in migraine. Headache 17, 238–241 (1978)
Schulz, R., Goldstein, A.: Morphine tolerance and supersensitivity to 5-hydroxytryptamine in the myenteric plexus of the guinea pig. Nature 244, 168–170 (1973)
Schulz, R., Herz, A.: Aspects of opiate dependence in the myenteric plexus of the guinea pig. Life Sci. 19, 117–128 (1976)
Schulz, R., Herz, A.: Naloxone-precipitated withdrawal reveals sensitization to neurotransmitters in morphine tolerant/dependent rats. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch. Pharmacol. 299, 95–99 (1977)
Sicuteri, F.: Headache as the most common disease of the antinociceptive system: Analogies with morphine abstinence. In: Advances in pain research and therapy, Vol. 3. Bonica, J. J., ed. pp. 359–365. New York: Raven 1979
Sicuteri, F.: Central panalgesia: A new syndrome with impressive 5-HT supersensitivity. Paper read at the 3rd Int. Symp. on Vascular Neuroeffector Mechanisms, Brussels, 24–26. July 1978 [Abstr.] p. 44, 1978b
Sicuteri, F.: Mini-review, endorphines, opiate receptors and migraine headache. Headache 17, 253–257 (1978c)
Sicuteri, F.: Pain syndrome in man following treatment with p-chlorophenylalanine. Pharmacol. Res. Commun. 3, 401–407 (1971)
Sicuteri, F.: Headache: Disruption of pain modulation. In: Advances in pain research and therapy, vol. 1, J. J. Bonica and D. Albe-Fessard, eds., pp. 871–880. New York: Raven 1976
Sicuteri, F., Anselmi, B., Curradi, C., Michelacci, S., Sassi, A.: Morphine-like factors in CSF of headache patients. In: Advances in biochemical psychopharmacology. The endorphines, vol. 18, E. Costa, M. Trabucchi, eds., pp. 363–366. New York: Raven 1978a
Sicuteri, F., Anselmi, B., Del Bianco, P. L.: 5-Hydroxytryptamine supersensitivity as a new theory of headache and central pain. Psychopharmacology 29, 347–356 (1973)
Sicuteri, F., Anselmi, B., Del Bianco, P. L.: Systemic nonorganic central pain: A new syndrome with decentralization supersensitivity. Headache 18, 133–136 (1978b)
Sicuteri, F., Del Bianco, P. L., Fanciullacci, M.: Variazioni di sensibilità alla 5-HT e alle catecolamine durante l'attacco emicranico. Test della venocostrizione. Boll. Soc. Ital. Biol. Sper. 42, 843–844 (1966)
Sicuteri, F., Fanciullacci, M., Michelacci, S.: Decentralization supersensitivity in headache and central panalgesia. In: Research and clinical studies in headache, A. P. Friedman, M. E. Granger, M. Critchely, eds., vol. 6, pp. 19–33. Basel: Karger 1978c
Smee, M. L., Overstreet, D. G.: Alterations in the effects of dopamine agonists and antagonists on general activity in rats following chronic morphine treatment. Psychopharmacology 49, 125–130 (1976)
Somerville, B.: Platelet bound and free serotonin levels in jugular and forearm venous blood during migraine. Neurology 26, 41–45 (1976)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sicuteri, F., Del Bianco, P.L. & Anselmi, B. Morphine abstinence and serotonin supersensitivity in man: Analogies with the mechanism of migraine?. Psychopharmacology 65, 205–209 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00433050
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00433050