Basolateral amygdala is required for reconsolidation updating of heroin‐associated memory after prolonged withdrawal

Abstract Postretrieval extinction procedures are effective nonpharmacological interventions for disrupting drug‐associated memories. Nonetheless, the conditioned stimulus (CS) memory retrieval‐extinction procedure is ineffective in inhibiting drug craving and relapse after prolonged withdrawal, which significantly undermines its therapeutic potential. In the present study, we showed that, unlike the CS memory retrieval‐extinction procedure, noncontingent heroin injections (unconditioned stimulus [UCS]) 1 hour before the extinction sessions decreased the heroin‐priming‐induced reinstatement, renewal, and spontaneous recovery of heroin seeking after 28 days of withdrawal (ie, remote heroin‐associated memories) in rats. The UCS retrieval manipulation induced reactivation of the basolateral amygdala (BLA) after prolonged withdrawal, and this reactivation was absent with the CS retrieval manipulation. Chemogenetic inactivation of the BLA abolished the inhibitory effect of the UCS memory retrieval‐extinction procedure on heroin‐priming‐induced reinstatement after prolonged withdrawal. Furthermore, the combination of chemogenetic reactivation of BLA and CS retrieval‐extinction procedure resembled the inhibitory effect of UCS retrieval‐extinction procedure on heroin seeking after prolonged withdrawal. We also observed that the inhibitory effect of the UCS retrieval‐extinction procedure is mediated by regulation of AMPA receptor endocytosis in the BLA. Our results demonstrate critical engagement of the BLA in reconsolidation updating of heroin‐associated memory after prolonged withdrawal, extending our knowledge of the boundary conditions of the reconsolidation of drug‐associated memories.