Chronic electroconvulsive treatment counteracts cortical beta-adrenoceptor upregulation induced by morphine abstinence.

Morphine treatment (20 mg/kg for 7 consecutive days) did not affect the density of [3H]dihydroalprenolol ([3H]DHA) binding sites in the cortical membranes of the rat, but during naloxone-precipitated abstinence syndrome the density of these sites increased. Electroconvulsive treatment for 6 days, which by itself decreased the density of [3H]DHA binding sites, prevented the increase.