Partial anxiolytic action of morphine sulphate following microinjection into the central nucleus of the amygdala in rats.

In the social interaction test of anxiety, bilateral microinjections of morphine sulphate (10 microgram) into the central nucleus of the amygdala counteracted the reduction in social interaction normally seen when the test arena is unfamiliar to rats. However, these injections did not counteract the decrease in social interaction that is observed as illuminance of the arena is increased. Morphine injections into the medial site depressed social interaction below the levels shown by control animals. In the open field test, morphine produced a facilitation of peripheral activity when injected into the central nucleus whilst a decrease in rearing was observed following similar injections into the medial nucleus. Overall, these data indicate a partial anxiolytic action of morphine in the central amygdaloid nucleus. Results are discussed in relation to possible differences in opioid peptide innervation of these two amygdaloid nuclei.