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Neuropathic pain is commonly associated with affective disorders such as anxiety and depression. We have previously characterised a rodent model of HIV, anti-retroviral-associated neuropathy in which rats develop hypersensitivity to a punctate mechanical stimulus and display anxiety-like behaviour in the open field paradigm. To assess the potential of this behavioural paradigm for the assessment of pain related co-morbidities in rodent models of pain, here we test the sensitivity of this anxiety-like behaviour to the analgesic agents gabapentin and morphine in comparison to the known anxiolytic drug diazepam. We found that gabapentin (30 mg/kg, i.p.) and morphine (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.), which reduce mechanical hypersensitivity in these rats, significantly reduces measures of thigmotaxis in the open field. The effect of gabapentin and morphine did not differ significantly from diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.). This study highlights the potential use of this rodent model and behavioural paradigm in the validation of the affective component of novel analgesic pharmacological targets and elucidation of underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.neulet.2008.10.005

Type

Journal article

Journal

Neurosci Lett

Publication Date

19/12/2008

Volume

448

Pages

153 - 156

Keywords

Amines, Analgesics, Animal Diseases, Animals, Anxiety, Behavior, Animal, Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids, Diazepam, Exploratory Behavior, Gabapentin, HIV Infections, Locomotion, Male, Morphine, Neuralgia, Pain Measurement, Pain Threshold, Rats, Rats, Wistar, Reaction Time, Time Factors, gamma-Aminobutyric Acid