Effects of excitotoxic lesions of the central or basolateral nucleus of the amygdala on naloxone-precipitated withdrawal-induced conditioned place aversion in morphine-dependent rats

We examined the effects of discrete, bilateral excitotoxic lesions of the central or basolateral nucleus of the amygdala an naloxone-precipitated withdrawal-induced conditioned place aversion in morphine-dependent rats. Lesions of the central nucleus significantly attenuated the conditioned place aversion, while lesions of the basolateral nucleus had little effect. These results suggest that the central nucleus of the amygdala, rather than the basolateral nucleus, plays a crucial role in the negative affective component of morphine abstinence. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.