Levels and distribution of central nervous system amines in normal and morphine-dependent monkeys.

The distribution of norepinephrine, dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine in various areas of the CNS of the normal monkey has been presented. The central levels and distribution of norepinephrine, dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine were determined after single doses of morphine, during maintenance of physical dependence and following withdrawal from chronic administration of morphine. Small and non-stressful doses of morphine were employed to induce experimental physical dependence. Alpha-methyl-DOPA did not qualitatively or quantitatively alter the abstinence syndrome. Pretreatment with iproniazid did not prevent depression produced by single doses of morphine in the non-tolerant monkey. The data observed in this study offer no support for the view that gross behavioral changes in the monkey produced by morphine or by its withdrawal after the development of physical dependence are induced by or may be correlated with changes in amine levels in the CNS.