ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the protein expression of grow thassociated protein-43 (GAP-43) in mid-brain ventral tegmental area in morphine withdrawal rats at different time, and to evaluate the effect of GAP-43 on morphine withdrawal memory. Methods Rat models of morphine dependent 1 week, 2 weeks and 4 weeks were established by morphine hydrochloride intraperitoneal injection with increasing doses to establish natural withdrawal. The protein expression of GAP-43 in midbrain ventral tegmental area was observed by im munohistochemical staining and the results were analyzed by Im age-Pro Plus 5.1 im-age analysis system . Results With prolongation of dependent time, the expression of GAP-43 was de-creased then increased in midbrain ventral tegmental area . Conclusion GAP-43 could play arole in morphine withdrawal memory in midbrain ventral tegmental area.