Differential effects of acute and prolonged morphine withdrawal on motivational and goal-directed control over reward-seeking behavior.

ABSTRACT: Opioid addiction is a relapsing disorder marked by uncontrolled drug use and reduced interest in normally rewarding activities. The current study investigated the impact of spontaneous withdrawal from chronic morphine exposure on emotional, motivational, and cognitive processes involved in regulating the pursuit and consumption of natural food rewards in male rats. In Experiment 1, rats experiencing acute morphine withdrawal lost weight and displayed somatic signs of drug dependence. However, hedonically-driven sucrose consumption was significantly elevated, suggesting intact and potentially heightened emotional reward processing. In Experiment 2, rats undergoing acute morphine withdrawal displayed reduced motivation when performing an effortful response for palatable food reward. Subseque

SUBMITTER: Halbout B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10515939 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature