Mu opioid receptor expression by nucleus accumbens inhibitory interneurons promotes affiliative social behavior

Deleting mu opioid receptor expression from nucleus accumbens inhibitory interneurons in mice of both sexes reduces social interaction and preference, without changing exogenous opioid sensitivity.

• Why it matters: It is unclear which nucleus accumbens circuit elements use mu opioid receptors to shape motivated social behavior versus responses to external opioids.
• What they did: Using genetic and viral tools, the study conditionally deleted mu opioid receptor expression from major nucleus accumbens neuron types and monosynaptic inputs, then tested social behavior and exogenous opioid sensitivity.
• The result: Interneuron deletion shifted excitation/inhibition onto medium spiny projection neurons and produced a behavioral double-dissociation: projection neuron deletion altered exogenous opioid sensitivity but not social interaction, while chemogenetic interneuron activation decreased social interaction.

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