Single-cell profiling of glial cells from the mouse amygdala under opioid dependent and withdrawal states

The cycle of substance use disorder (SUD) leading to dependence is a complex process involving multiple neurocircuitries and brain regions. The amygdala is the core brain region that is involved in processing withdrawal and anxiety and depressive-like behaviors. However, the transcriptional changes in each cell type within the amygdala during SUD remains unknown. Here, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing and classified all cell types in the mouse amygdala. We particularly focused on gene expression changes in glial cells under dependent state and compared to either naive or withdrawal state. Our data revealed distinct changes in key biological processes, such as gene expression, immune response, inflammation, synaptic transmission, and mitochondrial respiration. Significant differences were unraveled in the transcriptional profiles between dependence and withdrawal states. This report is the first single-cell RNA sequencing dataset from the amygdala under opioid dependence and withdrawal conditions, providing unique insights in understanding brain alterations during SUD.

Automated summary

The cycle of substance use disorder leading to dependence is a complex process involving multiple neurocircuitries and brain regions. This study focused on the amygdala, a core brain region involved in withdrawal, anxiety, and depressive-like behaviors, to examine the transcriptional changes in different cell types during substance use disorder. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, the researchers classified all cell types in the mouse amygdala and identified distinct gene expression changes in glial cells during dependence compared to naive or withdrawal state. The findings provide unique insights into the biological processes involved in substance use disorder and the alterations in the brain.