Morphine tolerance, physical dependence, and synthesis of brain 5-hydroxytryptamine.

Tolerance and physical dependence development to morphine in mice can be prevented by concomitant administration of cycloheximide. The fact that the rate of synthesis of brain 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) increases with tolerance to morphine suggests that the protein involved may be associated with 5HT synthesis. Inhibition of this synthesis with p-chlorophenylalanine markedly decreases tolerance and physical dependence development to morphine.