A Sensitization Of Projection Neurons from Prelimbic Cortex to Paraventricular Nucleus of Thalamus Induced By Retrieval of Morphine Withdrawal Memory

Abstract

Exposure to context that is associated with drug withdrawal syndromes induces the retrieval of drug withdrawal memory and leads to drug relapse. Previous study showed that the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) was an important region that was involved in conditioned context-induced retrieval of drug withdrawal memory. However, the upstream neuronal circuits that activate the PVT to participate in conditioned context-induced retrieval of morphine withdrawal memory remain to be studied. In the present work, using retrograde labeling method combined with immunohistochemical, chemical genetic, optogenetic and whole-cell recording approaches, we found that that projection neurons from the prelimbic cortex to the PVT played an important role in conditioned context-induced retrieval of morphine withdrawal memory and the retrieval of morphine withdrawal memory induced an increase in intrinsic excitability and glutamate output in PrL-PVT projection neurons in morphine withdrawn mice, suggesting a sensitization of PrL-PVT projection neurons after exposure to conditioned context.