Naloxone-induced opiate withdrawal produces long-lasting and context-independent changes in aggressive and social behaviors of postdependent male mice

Behav Neurosci. 2000 Apr;114(2):424-30. doi: 10.1037//0735-7044.114.2.424.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether an environment associated with naloxone-induced morphine withdrawal affects aggressive or social behaviors in postdependent mice. Morphine-dependent or saline-treated mice received 3 naloxone injections in 1 of 2 different environments (A or B); 15 days afterward, when the mice were completely drug free, an aggression test was carried out in Environment A. All the mice suffering morphine withdrawal showed a significant increase in aggression, irrespective of the environment in which the withdrawal took place. In these conditions, the impact of morphine dependence and the 3 induced withdrawals was so profound that the environment could not be discriminative. In addition, modifications in the behavioral profile of postdependent mice that suffered only spontaneous withdrawal were long-lasting, with the mice carrying out more attacks during social investigation without presenting threat postures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aggression / drug effects*
  • Agonistic Behavior / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Association Learning / drug effects
  • Conditioning, Classical / drug effects*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Morphine Dependence / psychology*
  • Naloxone / pharmacology*
  • Narcotic Antagonists / pharmacology*
  • Retention, Psychology / drug effects
  • Social Behavior*
  • Social Environment*
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / psychology*

Substances

  • Narcotic Antagonists
  • Naloxone