The Role of the Basolateral and Central Amygdala During Heroin Withdrawal and 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Administration
UNC Libraries June 5, 2026 Charlotte Rubin
Opioid use disorder involves dependence, withdrawal, and high relapse risk, but the neuroimmune mechanisms in the amygdala during withdrawal are not well understood. In adult male rats given escalating heroin doses over 10 days followed by 24-hour withdrawal, MDMA or saline was administered. Heroin-treated rats showed significant weight loss during withdrawal, confirming dependence, and MDMA did not worsen this effect. TNF-α immunoreactivity showed no effect of heroin withdrawal or MDMA in the central or basolateral amygdala, though a trend in the basolateral amygdala suggests subtle modulation by combined exposure.