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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2011 Nov 18.
Published in final edited form as: J Neurosci. 2011 May 18;31(20):7533–7539. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0172-11.2011

An Anatomical Basis for Opponent Process Mechanisms of Opiate Withdrawal

Anna K Radke 1, Patrick E Rothwell 1,†, Jonathan C Gewirtz 1,2,3
PMCID: PMC3114886  NIHMSID: NIHMS298001  PMID: 21593338

Abstract

Opponent process theory predicts that the first step in the induction of drug withdrawal is the activation of reward-related circuitry. Using the acoustic startle reflex as a model of anxiety-like behavior in rats, we show the emergence of a negative affective state during withdrawal after direct infusion of morphine into the ventral tegmental area (VTA), the origin of the mesolimbic dopamine system. Potentiation of startle during withdrawal from systemic morphine exposure requires a decrease in opiate receptor stimulation in the VTA and can be relieved by administration of the dopamine receptor agonist apomorphine. Together, our results suggest that the emergence of anxiety during withdrawal from acute opiate exposure begins with activation of VTA mesolimbic dopamine circuitry, providing a mechanism for the opponent process view of withdrawal.

Keywords: anxiety, opponent process, withdrawal, opiate, VTA

Introduction

The “opponent process” theory of motivation suggests that rewarding experiences engage secondary mechanisms that oppose and constrain positive emotion (Solomon and Corbit, 1974). Consistent with this perspective, the initial, rewarding effects of drugs of abuse are followed by the emergence of a negative emotional state each time a drug is experienced, including the first (Koob and Le Moal, 1997; Harris and Gewirtz, 2004; Rothwell et al., 2009). Negative emotional symptoms of withdrawal are therefore an intrinsic component of daily drug exposure and likely contribute to the development of dependence. Although negative affective states are thought to play a primary role in compulsive drug use (Koob and Le Moal, 1997; Baker et al., 2004), the neural mechanisms involved in the development of these states have yet to be elucidated.

The opponent process view predicts that activation of reward-related circuitry is the first step in the induction of a negative affective withdrawal state following opiate exposure (Koob and Bloom, 1988; Koob and LeMoal, 1997; Vargas-Perez et al., 2009). Opiates activate the brain’s reward circuits through disinhibition of mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) (Johnson and North, 1992). These neurons project to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) as well as other mesolimbic targets, including the basolateral amygdalar complex and the “extended amygdala” (i.e.: central nucleus of the amygdala, lateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and shell of the NAc; De Olmos and Heimer, 1999) (Fallon et al., 1978; Hasue and Shammah-Lagnado, 2002; Meloni et al., 2006). Structures of the extended amygdala are critical for the expression of negative emotional symptoms of opiate withdrawal (Koob and Le Moal, 1997; Frenois et al., 2002; Nakagawa et al., 2005; Harris et al., 2006), and dopamine signaling in these structures is involved in states of fear and anxiety (Herman et al., 1982; Pezze and Feldon, 2004; Meloni et al., 2006). We therefore hypothesized that anxiety during opiate withdrawal occurs in response to changes in activity of the mesolimbic dopamine system.

To test this hypothesis, anxiety-like behavior was assessed in rats using the acoustic startle reflex, a well-characterized translational measure of fear and anxiety (Davis et al., 2009). The magnitude of this reflex is reliably increased during withdrawal from acute morphine exposure (i.e., “withdrawal-potentiated startle”) (Kalinichev and Holtzman, 2003; Harris and Gewirtz, 2004; Rothwell et al., 2009; Cabral et al., 2009), an effect that involves portions of the extended amygdala (Harris et al., 2006; Cabral et al., 2009) and is attenuated by administration of anxiolytic drugs (Harris and Gewirtz, 2004; Rothwell et al., 2009). The experiments described below provide direct support for the opponent process theory of opiate withdrawal by demonstrating that morphine’s actions in the rodent VTA are both sufficient and necessary to induce anxiety-like behavior during withdrawal from acute opiate exposure.

Materials and Methods

Subjects

Male Sprague Dawley rats (Harlan, Indianapolis, IN), weighing between 225 and 375 g at the start of the experiment, were housed in groups of 4 in metal cages with a 12-h light-dark cycle and free access to food and water, except during testing. Animals were acclimated to housing conditions for 2 weeks and then gently handled for 2 consecutive days. Rats that underwent intracranial cannulation surgery were subsequently housed individually in metal cages. All procedures conformed to the National Institutes of Health Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and were approved by the University of Minnesota Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.

Drugs

Morphine sulfate was purchased from Mallinckrodt (Hazelwood, MO). Apomorphine hydrochloride was purchased from Tocris Bioscience (Ellisville, MO). Naloxone hydrochloride was purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, MO). Systemically administered drugs were dissolved in 0.9% saline and injected subcutaneously. Infused drugs were dissolved in 0.9% sterile saline. Throughout the text, 0 mg/kg and 0 μg denote groups given vehicle injection or infusion, respectively. All drug doses are expressed as the weight of the salt.

Intracranial Cannulation and Infusion

Surgical procedures were performed as previously described (Harris et al., 2006). 22-gauge guide cannulae (model C232G-2.0; Plastics One Products, Roanoke, VA) were implanted bilaterally into the VTA (AP: -5.3 mm, ML: ±1.0 mm, DV: -7.2 mm from Bregma). “Dummy” cannulae (model C232DC; Plastics One Products) were inserted to maintain patency, with the tips flush with the end of the guide cannulae.

Infusions of 0.5 μL per hemisphere were made over the course of 2 min through 28-gauge infusion cannulae (model C232I-2.0; Plastics One Products) with tips that extended 1 mm past the end of the guide. Infusion cannulae were attached with polyethylene tubing to a 5-μL Hamilton microsyringe and were left in place for 1 min following infusions.

Acoustic Startle

Acoustic startle was tested as previously described (Rothwell et al., 2009). Each startle test session consisted of a 5-min acclimation period followed by presentation of 40 startle stimuli (20 each at 95 or 105 dB in semi-random order) with a 30-s fixed inter-stimulus interval. For each experiment, acoustic startle was first tested on 2 consecutive drug-free days. After the second day, average startle amplitudes were used to match animals into groups with similar overall mean startle amplitude (Gutman et al., 2008). Each test day began with a pre-drug exposure, baseline startle session and concluded with a final post-drug exposure startle session.

Locomotor Activity

Locomotor activity was monitored as previously described (Rothwell et al., 2010). A computer running custom software (Applied Concepts, Ann Arbor, MI) monitored the number of “crossovers.” Crossovers were analyzed in 10-minute bins and also summed across the entire experimental session. One day prior to drug exposure, animals were habituated to activity boxes for 1 h. On test days locomotor activity was monitored for 2 h after infusion.

Experimental Design

Experiment 1: Intra-VTA morphine infusion

On each test day animals were infused with 0, 1, or 5 μg morphine sulfate per hemisphere at 0:00 h. Locomotor activity was monitored for 2 h immediately after the infusion. Startle was assessed at one of 4 post-morphine infusion time points (2:00, 4:00, 6:00, and 8:00 h). A Latin Square design was used so that each rat was tested once at each of the 4 post-infusion time points over a series of 4 days. Rats received a total of 4 test days, each separated by 2 intervening days to prevent tissue damage (Vezina & Stewart, 1984). Of the rats implanted with cannulae in the VTA, 7 were removed from analysis due to misplaced cannulae (located in the lateral hypothalamus, LH) or significant lesions at the infusion site, leaving final sample sizes of 17 (0 μg), 14 (1 μg), and 14 (5 μg). In a separate control experiment animals with cannulae located 1mm dorsal to the VTA in the interstitial nucleus of the medial longitudinal fasciculus (IMLF) were infused with 0 μg or 1 μg of morphine and tested as described above. Of these animals, 8 were removed from analysis due to misplaced cannulae, leaving final sample sizes of 9 (0 μg) and 7 (1 μg).

Experiment 2: Intra-VTA morphine infusion during withdrawal from systemic morphine

Rats were injected with either 0 or 10 mg/kg of morphine at 0:00 h and received an intra-VTA infusion of morphine (0 or 1 μg per side) 3 h later. Startle was tested at 4:00 h. A crossover design was used so that each rat was infused with the two doses of intra-VTA morphine in a random order over 2 consecutive test days. One animal was removed from analysis due to problems with the infusion on the second test day and 6 animals were removed due to misplaced cannulae, leaving final sample sizes of 12 (0 mg/kg) and 11 (10 mg/kg).

Morphine-injected animals in this experiment had previously been tested for intra-VTA methylnaloxonium-precipitated withdrawal (see Stinus et al., 1990; Maldonado et al., 1992) following systemic morphine exposure (no significant startle potentiation, data not shown), and had therefore previously received one 10-mg/kg injection of morphine and two 500-ng intra-VTA infusions of methylnaloxonium. The lack of startle potentiation following methylnaloxonium infusion was likely due to the anxiolytic effects of morphine in brain regions outside of the VTA (Cabral et al., 2009).

Experiment 3: Intra-VTA naloxone infusion before intra-VTA morphine

Rats were infused with 0, 3, or 10 μg of naloxone hydrochloride followed by 0 or 1 μg of morphine per side 20 min later. Startle was tested at 4:00 h. Each rat was infused with the 3 doses of intra-VTA naloxone in a random order over 3 test days, separated by 2 intervening days. One animal was removed from analysis due to misplaced cannulae and one was removed as an outlier, leaving final sample sizes of 11 (0 μg) and 8 (1 μg).

Experiment 4: Apomorphine injection during withdrawal from systemic morphine

Rats were injected with morphine or saline at 0:00 h followed by 0 (N=14 per group), 50 (N=10 per group), or 100 μg/kg (N=10 per group) apomorphine hydrochloride 3 h and 50 min later. This higher dose of apomorphine has been shown to cause cellular changes mediated by activation of postsynaptic dopamine receptors (Bergstrom et al., 1982; Carlson et al., 1987; Rosenkranz and Grace, 1999). Startle was tested at 4:00 h.

Data Analysis

Startle data were collapsed across both intensities (95/105 dB) before further statistical analysis (Harris and Gewirtz, 2004), as the magnitude of withdrawal-potentiated startle was not affected by stimulus intensity (data not shown). In each experiment, we first conducted one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to verify similar baseline startle amplitude between experimental groups; there were no differences in baseline startle between groups in any experiment (data not shown). Changes in startle after morphine administration were calculated as percent change from baseline on the same day (Harris and Gewirtz, 2004).

Data from Experiment 1 were analyzed using factorial ANOVA, with repeated measures on within-subject factors. For main effects or interactions involving repeated measures, the Huynh–Feldt correction was applied to control for violations of the sphericity assumption. Between-subjects effects were further analyzed with one-way ANOVA. Planned comparisons (paired t-tests or polynomial trend analysis, as appropriate) were used to test the within-subjects effects of intra-VTA morphine and apomorphine on withdrawal-potentiated startle in Experiments 2, 3, and 4. All statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS (version 17.0) with a Type I error rate of α = 0.05 (two-tailed).

Results

Experiment 1: Intra-VTA morphine infusion

To test whether the VTA is involved in the induction of anxiety following acute opiate exposure we microinfused morphine sulfate (0, 1, or 5 μg per side) through chronically, indwelling cannulae aimed bilaterally at the VTA (Figure 1A). Startle responding was measured 2, 4, 6 or 8 h after the infusion over 4 test days (Figure 2A). A significant main effect of time (F3,126 = 3.555, p = 0.016) and a significant time × group interaction (F6,126 = 3.194, p = 0.006) were observed. Compared to the 0-μg group at the same time point, significant potentiation of the startle reflex was observed only in the 1-μg group 4 h after infusion (F1,30 = 4.402, p = 0.045) and in the 5-μg group 8 h after infusion (F1,30 = 6.034, p = 0.020) (Figure 2B-C). We also found that the increase in startle at 4 h escalated in magnitude over the 4 test days in the 1-μg group (Day 1: 22.7% ± 9.2%, Day 2: 35.8% ± 9.2%, Day 3: 43.9% ± 10.8%, Day 4: 68.8% ± 11.1%), resulting in a significant linear effect of day (F1,13 = 8.550, p = 0.015). This effect was not observed in the 0-μg group (F1,16 = 0.015, p = 0.904). Data from animals with misplaced cannulae (N=5) were run against the 0-μg group in a separate analysis and no significant effects were observed (Figure 2D). Analysis of data from animals with cannulae aimed 1 mm dorsal to the VTA (Figure 1B) also yielded no significant effects (Figure 2E), indicating this effect of VTA morphine infusion is not a consequence of dorsal diffusion to the periaqueductal gray (Bozarth and Wise, 1984).

Figure 1. Cannula tip placements for Experiment 1.

Figure 1

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Tip locations for animals with correct placements are indicated with black circles. Animals were bilaterally implanted with chronically indwelling cannulae aimed A) at the VTA or B) 1 mm dorsal to the VTA (in the IMLF).

Figure 2. Startle time course during spontaneous withdrawal from intra-VTA morphine infusion.

Figure 2

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A) Timeline of experimental test day for Experiment 1. B) Startle was significantly potentiated 4 h after infusion in the 1-μg group vs. the 0-μg group. C) Startle was significantly potentiated 8 h after infusion in the 5-μg group vs. 0-μg group. D) Animals with misplaced cannulae, located anterior to the VTA in the lateral hypothalamus (LH), failed to show significant startle potentiation at any time point. For purposes of comparison, the same 0-μg control group is presented in panels B-D. E) Animals with cannulae aimed 1 mm dorsal to the VTA, located in the interstitial nucleus of the medial longitudinal fasciculus (IMLF), failed to show significant startle potentiation at any time point. *p<0.05 compared to 0-μg group at that time point.

Analysis of locomotor activity revealed significant main effects of day (F2.444,102.627 = 10.424, p < 0.001) and group (F2,42 = 3.786, p = 0.031). Sensitization of the locomotor response was observed only in 1 μg- (linear effect of day F1,13 = 11.503, p = 0.005) and 5 μg-infused animals (linear effect of day F1,13 = 5.500, p = 0.036) (Figure 3A-D). Analysis of data from animals with cannulae aimed 1 mm dorsal to the VTA (0-μg group, data not shown; 1-μg group, included in Figure 3D) revealed no significant effects.

Figure 3. Locomotor activity following intra-VTA morphine infusion.

Figure 3

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Time course of activity across 4 days of testing for the A) 0-μg group, B) 1-μg group, and C) 5-μg group. D) Total locomotor activity across 4 days of testing. Activity in the 1-μg and 5-μg morphine groups significantly increased over days, as evidenced by significant linear trends in both groups (*p<0.05). No significant effects were found in the 0-μg or dorsal control groups.

Experiment 2: Intra-VTA morphine infusion during withdrawal from systemic morphine

To test whether the expression of opiate withdrawal-induced anxiety requires a reduction in VTA opiate receptor stimulation, rats were systemically injected with morphine sulfate (0 or 10 mg/kg) followed by intra-VTA infusion of morphine (0 or 1 μg per side) 3 h later (Figure 4A). Therefore, in animals given systemic morphine followed by 1 μg of intra-VTA morphine, drug levels would be expected to be reduced in all brain regions except the VTA. These animals showed a significantly lower level of withdrawal-potentiated startle than the 0-μg group (t11 = 2.33, p = 0.040) (Figure 4B). No significant differences were seen between the two 0-mg/kg groups (t9 = 1.115, p = 0.294).

Figure 4. Withdrawal from intra-VTA morphine is dependent on decreased activity at VTA opiate receptors and the dopaminergic system.

Figure 4

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A) Timeline of test day for Experiment 2. B) Intra-VTA morphine significantly attenuated startle potentiation (*p<0.05 compared to 0-μg group). C) Timeline of test day for Experiment 3. D) Intra-VTA naloxone significantly attenuated startle potentiation, as evidenced by a significant linear trend (*p<0.05). E) Timeline of test day for Experiment 4. F) Startle potentiation in the morphine group decreased with apomorphine dose, as evidenced by a significant linear trend (*p<0.05).

Experiment 3: Intra-VTA naloxone infusion before intra-VTA morphine

To verify that the effects of intra-VTA morphine observed in Experiment 1 were the result of opiate receptor activation, rats received an intra-VTA infusion of naloxone hydrochloride (0, 3, or 10 μg per side) followed by intra-VTA morphine (0 or 1 μg per side) 20 min later (Figure 4C). Animals given 3 or 10 μg of naloxone before 1 μg of morphine had a significantly lower level of withdrawal-potentiated startle than animals given 0 μg (linear effect of dose F1,23 = 5.635, p = 0.027) (Figure 4D). This effect was not observed in the three groups infused with 0 μg morphine (F1,32 = 1.205, p = 0.281).

Experiment 4: Apomorphine injection during withdrawal from systemic morphine

As drug levels spontaneously begin to fall in the VTA after acute opiate exposure, the release of dopamine in target structures also decreases (Acquas and Di Chiara, 1992; Spanagel et al., 1992; Wise et al., 1995; Carboni et al., 2000). To test the hypothesis that the expression of anxiety during opiate withdrawal involves a loss of dopaminergic tone we systemically injected rats with 0 or 10 mg/kg of morphine sulfate. Three hours and 50 min later the animals received a systemic injection of the dopamine receptor agonist apomorphine hydrochloride (0, 50, or 100 μg/kg) and startle responding was tested 10 min later (Figure 4E). Animals given 10 mg/kg of morphine followed by apomorphine showed a significant dose-dependent decrease in potentiated startle (linear effect of dose F1,29 = 9.09, p = 0.006) (Figure 4F). This effect was not observed in the 0-mg/kg groups (F1,29 = 1.453, p = 0.239).

Discussion

Negative affective symptoms, such as anxiety and dysphoria, are a common consequence of withdrawal from drugs of abuse that occur after each drug exposure. They are therefore an intrinsic component of drug taking (Koob and Le Moal, 1997; Baker et al., 2004). The current experiments show that withdrawal-induced anxiety develops following activation of the same neural circuitry that mediates the rewarding aspects of drugs. Specifically, we show that the expression of anxiety during opiate withdrawal results from a drop in activity at VTA opiate receptors and the corresponding loss of dopaminergic tone in terminal fields. Direct microinfusion of morphine into the VTA produces startle potentiation four hours later, a time course that is remarkably similar to our previously published studies with systemic opiate administration (Harris and Gewirtz, 2004; Rothwell et al., 2009). This response is specific to the VTA and occurs at a longer latency following administration of a higher dose of morphine, supporting the conclusion that our behavioral measure is a withdrawal effect, and not merely a side effect of morphine exposure. Both potentiated startle and locomotor activity increased in magnitude over repeated testing, further suggesting that they rely on shared mechanisms (Rothwell et al., 2010). Finally, startle potentiation four hours after systemic opiate exposure is alleviated by a second intra-VTA microinfusion of morphine, demonstrating that a reduction in activity at VTA opiate receptors is necessary for the expression of withdrawal.

These data offer strong and direct support for opponent process theory, which posits that positive motivational stimuli activate two emotional processes: an initial rewarding process and a secondary negative withdrawal process that is dependent on the first and grows over time (Solomon and Corbit, 1974; Koob and Bloom, 1988). In the case of opiate drugs, the former process is dependent on VTA opiate receptors and the subsequent release of dopamine in target structures (Bozarth and Wise, 1984; Olmstead and Franklin, 1997; Fenu et al., 2006). As predicted by opponent process theory, our data demonstrate that anxiety-like behavior during opiate withdrawal is initiated by prior activation of the same circuitry and escalates over repeated exposures.

We also find the degree of psychomotor activation produced by VTA morphine infusion is enhanced with repeated exposure, consistent with previous reports (Vezina and Stewart, 1984; Shaham et al., 1995) and other evidence that intermittent drug exposure causes sensitization of the mesolimbic dopamine system (Robinson and Berridge, 2003). In contrast, the original opponent process theory suggests the responsiveness of the reward system should diminish over repeated drug exposures (Solomon and Corbit, 1974). However, the initial manifestations of acute morphine withdrawal are not observed until after peak activation of the mesolimbic dopamine system by VTA morphine infusion (Broekkamp et al., 1979; Leone et al., 1991). This delay provides a window of opportunity for expression of sensitization before the opponent process emerges. The subsequent expression of anxiety likely coincides with reduced activation of the mesolimbic dopamine system (Acquas and Di Chiara, 1992; Rossetti et al., 1992; Diana et al., 1995, 1999; Georges and Aston-Jones, 2003; Georges et al., 2006), which contributes to negative emotional states (Stinus et al., 1990; Nestler and Carlezon, 2006; Liu et al., 2008). This idea is further supported by our data demonstrating that systemic apomorphine attenuates withdrawal-potentiated startle as well as other evidence that manipulation of dopaminergic signaling attenuates signs of opiate withdrawal (Harris and Aston-Jones, 1994; Bechara et al., 1995; Rodriguez-Arias et al., 1999; Laviolette et al., 2002; Chartoff et al., 2006; but see Caille et al., 2003).

In addition to changes within the mesolimbic dopamine system, the development of an opponent process during drug withdrawal involves “between-systems” adaptations in structures responsible for the expression of negative affect (Koob and Bloom, 1988; Stinus et al., 1990; Harris et al., 2006; Smith and Aston-Jones, 2008). Our data suggest that activation of the mesolimbic dopamine system may be the first step in the recruitment of between-systems adaptations that produce anxiety. Transient release of dopamine in portions of the extended amygdala (Acquas and Di Chiara, 1992; Spanagel et al., 1992; Wise et al., 1995; Carboni et al., 2000) may trigger increased release of corticotropin-releasing factor and norepinephrine (Kash et al., 2008; Guiard et al., 2008). Additionally, dopaminergic regulation of corticotropin-releasing factor synthesis in the extended amygdala (Smialowska et al., 1999; Day et al., 2002; Stewart et al., 2008) could contribute to allostatic changes that mediate increased withdrawal severity following repeated opiate exposure. Further research will be necessary to directly determine whether this dopaminergic link between the VTA and the extended amygdala is in fact involved in anxiety following acute opiate exposure. In addition to the extended amygdala, the tegmental pedunculopontine nucleus (PPTg) is important in the development of an opponent process following opiate exposure (Vargas-Perez et al., 2007; 2009). The PPTg sends excitatory glutamatergic and cholinergic inputs to dopamine cells (Oakman et al., 1995; Geisler et al., 2007) and its role in opiate reward and withdrawal may therefore be mediated by its ability to drive VTA dopaminergic activity (Pan and Hyland, 2005).

In contrast to the current findings, intra-VTA morphine infusion does not produce physical signs of dependence (Bozarth and Wise, 1984). This is not surprising given the abundant evidence that physical and emotional aspects of withdrawal are mediated by distinct mechanisms (Koob et al., 1992; Higgins and Sellers, 1994). It will be important for future work to determine whether other emotional facets of the withdrawal syndrome, such as anhedonia and dysphoria, involve the same mechanisms described here. It will also be interesting to see if similar increases in anxiety-like behavior are seen with models of anxiety that involve a suppression instead of a potentiation of behavior. Such an outcome is likely given that potentiated startle correlates highly with freezing behavior, another common measure of anxiety in rodents (Leaton and Borszcz, 1985).

Taken as a whole, our findings demonstrate that the induction of a negative affective opponent process following acute opiate exposure is dependent on a reduction in activation of the neural circuitry responsible for the rewarding effects of the drug. Since the negative emotional component of withdrawal is thought to play a strong motivational role in drug taking behavior (Koob and Le Moal, 1997; Baker et al., 2004), our findings may be particularly relevant to the study of the development and escalating severity of drug dependence.

Table 1.

Mean raw startle output for animals in Experiment 1.

0 μg Morphine 1 μg Morphine 5 μg Morphine
2 hours 49.3 ± 3.4 47.8 ± 4.5 45.1 ± 4.1
4 hours 54.4 ± 5.5 43.5 ± 3.8 40.5 ± 2.8
6 hours 48.6 ± 3.8 50.1 ± 4.9 45.0 ± 4.3
8 hours 47.8 ± 3.8 47.2 ± 5.2 39.5 ± 3.2
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Data presented are average startle values of animals before intra-VTA morphine infusion.

Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. Mark Thomas for supplying the locomotor activity monitors used in these experiments. This work was funded by grants from NICHD (HD007151 to AKR), NIDA (DA007097 to AKR, DA007234 and DA023750 to PER, and DA018784 to JCG), and NARSAD (to JCG).

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