Model of negative affect induced by withdrawal from acute and chronic morphine administration in male mice

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a chronic relapsing disorder that is a major burden for the lives of affected individuals, and society as a whole. Opioid withdrawal is characterized by strong physical symptoms, along with signs of negative affect. Negative affect due to opioid withdrawal is a major obstacle to recovery and relapse prevention. The mechanisms behind negative affect due to either spontaneous or antagonist-precipitated opioid withdrawal are not well known, and more animal models need be developed. Here, we present behavioral models of negative affect upon naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal in adult male mice. Social, anxiety, and despair-like deficits were investigated following naloxone administration in mice receiving morphine under three dosing regimens; acute, chronic constant dose and chronic escalating doses. Social behaviour in the three-chamber social preference test was decreased following withdrawal from chronic and escalating but not acute morphine. Anxiety-like behaviour in the open field was increased for all three treatments. Despair-like behaviour was increased following withdrawal from chronic and escalating but not acute morphine. Altogether, these animal models will contribute to study behavioural and neuronal circuitries involved in the several negative affective signs characterizing OUD.