Date of Award

12-2010

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Program

Psychology

Department

Psychology

Major Professor

LaHoste, Gerald J.

Second Advisor

Martel, Michelle M.

Third Advisor

Harrison, Laura

Abstract

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.

Rights

The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.

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