Opioid-driven disruption of the septal complex reveals a role for neurotensin-expressing neurons in withdrawal.

ABSTRACT: Because opioid withdrawal is an intensely aversive experience, persons with opioid use disorder (OUD) often relapse to avoid it. The lateral septum (LS) is a forebrain structure that is important in aversion processing, and previous studies have linked the lateral septum (LS) to substance use disorders. It is unclear, however, which precise LS cell types might contribute to the maladaptive state of withdrawal. To address this, we used single-nucleus RNA-sequencing to interrogate cell type specific gene expression changes induced by chronic morphine and withdrawal. We discovered that morphine globally disrupted the transcriptional profile of LS cell types, but Neurotensin-expressing neurons (Nts; LS-Nts neurons) were selectively activated by naloxone. Using two-photon calcium

SUBMITTER: Simon RC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10827099 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature