Effect of morphine on the number and branching of astrocytes in various regions of rat brain

We studied the effects of morphine in high doses on astrocytes in the nucleus accumbens, lateral septum, and caudate nucleus of rat brain. Activation of astrocytes in the nucleus accumbens and lateral septal nucleus was manifested in hyperplasia and elongation of astrocyte processes. In the caudate nucleus, the total length of astrocyte processes and branching of individual astrocytes decreased.