Changes in heroin self-administration by a rhesus monkey after morphine immunisation

WE have investigated in one primate the effect of immunisation against an opiate on the self-administration of these drugs. Using the rhesus monkey, which will self-administer various drugs, including opiates and psychomotor stimulants 1 , we have followed the response for heroin before and after immunisation against morphine. Results indicate that antibodies against morphine can block those effects of heroin on the central nervous system (CNS) that maintain self-administration behaviour.