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J L Neisewander

Publications and source records attributed to J L Neisewander.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Influence of individual differences and chronic fluoxetine treatment on cocaine-seeking behavior in rats.

RATIONALE: Clinical studies examining the efficacy of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, fluoxetine, in decreasing craving and cocaine use have been inconsistent. OBJECTIVE: To understand better the effects of fluoxetine treatment on incentive motivation for cocaine, the present study assessed the effects of chronic fluoxetine treatment on cocaine-seeking behavior in rats following exposure to a cocaine self-administration environment or a cocaine priming injection. METHODS: Rats were trained to press a lever for a cocaine reinforcer (0.5 mg/kg per 0.1 ml, i.v.) or received yoked administration of saline. They were then withdrawn from this regimen and given 20 daily injections of saline or fluoxetine (3.0 mg/kg, i.p.). Twenty-four hours after the last injection, the rats were placed in the self-administration environment and cocaine-seeking behavior (i.e., non-reinforced lever pressing) was measured for 90 min. Reinstatement of extinguished cocaine-seeking behavior was then measured for 60 min following a saline injection and for 90 min following a cocaine priming injection (15 mg/kg, i.p.). RESULTS: Chronic fluoxetine treatment attenuated cocaine-seeking behavior following exposure to the self-administration environment in most rats (n = 16), but enhanced cocaine-seeking behavior in two rats. Furthermore, the treatment failed to alter cocaine-seeking behavior following a cocaine priming injection. Interestingly, the amount of cocaine intake during self-administration training correlated with cocaine-seeking behavior following the cocaine priming injection. In fact, the priming injection reinstated cocaine-seeking behavior only in rats with high, but not low, cocaine intake based on a median split. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that chronic fluoxetine treatment decreases motivation for cocaine when animals are in a cocaine-free state. Furthermore, individual differences in cocaine use are related to individual differences in sensitivity to the incentive motivational effects of cocaine priming.

Animals↗

Serotonin depletion attenuates cocaine seeking but enhances sucrose seeking and the effects of cocaine priming on reinstatement of cocaine seeking in rats.

RATIONALE: Acute serotonin (5-HT) depletion by the tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor, para-chlorophenylalanine, attenuates cocaine seeking in rats. OBJECTIVE: The present study examined the effects of chronic 5-HT depletion on cocaine- and sucrose seeking using the 5-HT-selective neurotoxin 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT). METHODS: Separate groups of rats were trained to lever press for cocaine infusions (0.33 mg/kg/0.1 ml, i.v.) or for sucrose pellets (45 mg Noyes) on a fixed ratio (FR) 1 schedule of reinforcement during daily 2-h sessions. Subsequently, animals received i.c.v. infusions of either vehicle or 5,7-DHT (150 microg/6 microl or 200 microg/20 microl). After a minimum of 10 days post-lesion, cocaine- and sucrose seeking were measured as lever presses in the absence of reinforcement (extinction). Some cocaine-trained animals were also assessed for the re-establishment of self-administration and reinstatement of extinguished cocaine seeking by i.v. cocaine priming injections and response-contingent presentations of cocaine-paired stimuli. RESULTS: 5-HT depletion by the 150 microg/6 microl dose of 5,7-DHT failed to alter cocaine- and sucrose seeking despite producing a 42-77% depletion of 5-HT in limbic terminal regions. The 200 microg/20 microl dose of 5,7-DHT attenuated cocaine seeking but enhanced sucrose seeking during extinction and produced a 55-85% depletion of 5-HT. In addition, cocaine-paired cues and cocaine priming reinstated cocaine-seeking behavior, and responding was enhanced in 5,7-DHT-treated animals relative to vehicle-treated controls at the 1 mg/kg/0.1 ml priming dose. However, re-establishment of cocaine self-administration was not altered by 5,7-DHT. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that 5-HT depletion may attenuate cocaine seeking but may enhance sucrose seeking when animals are tested during extinction. Furthermore, 5-HT depletion may enhance cocaine seeking produced by cocaine itself. Together these findings suggest that 5-HT depletion may have opposite effects on incentive motivation for cocaine during abstinence versus relapse.

5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine↗

Fos protein expression and cocaine-seeking behavior in rats after exposure to a cocaine self-administration environment.

To examine neuronal activation associated with incentive motivation for cocaine, cocaine-seeking behavior (operant responding without cocaine reinforcement) and Fos expression were examined in rats exposed to saline and cocaine priming injections and/or a self-administration environment. Rats were first trained to self-administer cocaine or received yoked saline administration ("control"). They then received 21 daily exposures to either the self-administration environment ("extinction") or a different environment ("no extinction") without cocaine available. Extinction training, used to decrease incentive motivation for cocaine elicited by the self-administration environment, decreased cocaine-seeking behavior elicited by both the environment and the cocaine priming injection. Exposure to the self-administration environment enhanced Fos expression in the no extinction group relative to control and extinction groups in the anterior cingulate, basolateral amygdala, hippocampal CA1 region, dentate gyrus, nucleus accumbens shell and core, and central gray area, regardless of whether or not priming injections were given. The priming injections enhanced Fos expression in the ventral tegmental area, caudate putamen, substantia nigra pars reticulata, entorhinal cortex, central amygdala, lateral amygdala, arcuate nucleus, and central gray area, regardless of group. Thus, these changes likely reflect an unconditioned effect from either cocaine or injection stress. The priming injections also enhanced Fos expression in the anterior cingulate, but only in cocaine-experienced groups, suggesting that this enhancement reflects an experience-dependent motivational effect of the priming injections. The results suggest that different neural circuits may be involved in the incentive motivational effects of cocaine-paired environmental stimuli versus priming injections and that the anterior cingulate may be part of a common pathway for both.

Animals↗

Serotonin depletion attenuates cocaine-seeking behavior in rats.

RATIONALE: Alterations in serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission during cocaine withdrawal may be involved in incentive motivation for cocaine. OBJECTIVE: The present study examined the effects of 5-HT depletion on cocaine- and food-seeking behavior (i.e., non-reinforced operant responding). METHODS: Separate groups of rats were trained to lever press for cocaine infusions (0.33 mg/kg/0.1 ml, i.v.) or for food pellets (45-mg Noyes food pellets) on a fixed-ratio one schedule of reinforcement during 14 daily 2-h sessions. Half of each group then received treatment with either saline or the tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor para-chlorophenylalanine (p-CPA; 100 mg/kg, i.p.) on post-training day 5 and day 6. Twenty-four hours after their last treatment, rats were tested for cocaine- or food-seeking behavior by measuring operant responding in the absence of reinforcement until they reached an extinction criterion of no responses for 30 min. Animals were sacrificed 24 h after testing and brain 5-HT levels in various regions were quantified. RESULTS: In cocaine-trained animals, p-CPA treatment significantly decreased cocaine-seeking behavior and produced a trend toward a decrease in extinction latency relative to saline treatment. In food-trained animals, p-CPA treatment failed to alter any of the behavioral measures during testing, suggesting that p-CPA treatment did not alter the animals' memory or ability to perform an operant response. p-CPA significantly depleted 5-HT by 73-85% in every brain region examined. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that decreasing 5-HT neurotransmission may decrease incentive motivation for cocaine.

Animals↗

Behavioral interactions produced by co-administration of 7-OH-DPAT with cocaine or apomorphine in the rat.

Previous research from our laboratory suggests that low doses (<0.1 mg/kg) of the dopamine (DA) D3-preferring agonist 7-hydroxy-N,N-di-n-propyl-2-aminotetralin (7-OH-DPAT) attenuate conditioned place preference (CPP) produced by the indirect DA agonist d-amphetamine, but enhance d-amphetamine-induced stereotypic behaviors. This study further examined the effects of 7-OH-DPAT on behaviors produced by the indirect DA agonist, cocaine, and the non-selective direct DA agonist, apomorphine. To examine whether 7-OH-DPAT would alter cocaine and apomorphine dose-response curves for motor behaviors and CPP, 0.1 mg/kg 7-OH-DPAT was co-administered with 0-30 mg/kg cocaine and 0-3 mg/kg apomorphine. To establish place conditioning, drug injections were paired with one of two distinctly different compartments, whereas saline injections were paired with the other compartment. Locomotion, sniffing, oral stereotypy, and headbobbing were measured following acute and repeated drug administration during conditioning, and place conditioning was assessed 24 h following the last conditioning day. 7-OH-DPAT enhanced cocaine- and apomorphine-induced stereotypies following repeated administration. 7-OH-DPAT also attenuated cocaine-CPP, but potentiated apomorphine-CPP. Furthermore, 7-OH-DPAT attenuated locomotion produced by high doses of apomorphine. The attenuation of cocaine-CPP by 7-OH-DPAT likely involves stimulation of D2/D3 autoreceptors in the mesolimbic pathway, whereas the potentiation of apomorphine-CPP likely involves stimulation of D2/D3 postsynaptic receptors. Furthermore, it is suggested that attenuation of apomorphine-induced locomotion by 7-OH-DPAT likely involves stimulation of postsynaptic D3 receptors in the mesolimbic pathway. Thus, if postsynaptic D3 receptors are involved in mediating CPP and locomotion, then stimulation of D3 receptors may facilitate CPP but inhibit locomotion.

Animals↗

Behavioral effects of psychomotor stimulant infusions into amygdaloid nuclei.

The role of amygdaloid nuclei in locomotion, stereotypy, and conditioned place preference (CPP) produced by psychomotor stimulants was examined. Five 2-day conditioning trials were conducted over 10 consecutive days. Rats received bilateral intracranial infusions of saline, cocaine (25-100 micrograms/side), or amphetamine (0.31-20 micrograms/side) into the ventricles (ICV), basolateral amygdala (BlA), or central amygdala (CeA) and were confined to a compartment. On alternating days, rats received sham infusions and were confined to a different compartment. Locomotion was measured daily, stereotypy was measured on trials 1 and 5, and CPP was measured 24 h after conditioning. ICV infusions of cocaine or amphetamine produced locomotion, rearing, and CPP. Intra-BlA and intra-CeA infusions of the highest dose of cocaine produced locomotion. In contrast, intra-CeA infusions of amphetamine potently produced locomotion and CPP. Intra-BlA infusions of amphetamine, however, did not produce any behavioral changes. These results suggest that the CeA, but not the BlA, is involved in initiating reward and locomotion produced by amphetamine.

Amphetamine↗

Effects of intraaccumbens administration of SCH-23390 on cocaine-induced locomotion and conditioned place preference.

The effects of systemic (0-1.0 mg/kg) or intraaccumbens (0-1.0 microg/side) administration of SCH-23390 on cocaine-induced (0 or 4.2 mg/kg, i.v.) locomotion, sniffing, and conditioned place preference (CPP) were investigated in rats. After behavioral testing was completed, animals were injected with their respective dose of SCH-23390 into the nucleus accumbens (NAc), followed by a systemic injection of the irreversible antagonist N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ). Receptors occupied by intraaccumbens SCH-23390, and therefore protected from EEDQ-induced inactivation, were then quantified from autoradiograms of sections labeled with 3H-SCH-23390. Systemic administration of 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg SCH-23390 reversed cocaine-induced locomotion, sniffing, and CPP, suggesting that stimulation of D1-like receptors is necessary for these behavioral changes. Intraaccumbens administration of 1.0 microg/side SCH-23390 reversed cocaine-CPP, and this dose occupied D1-like receptors primarily in the rostral pole of the NAc. Intraaccumbens administration of 0.5 microg/side SCH-23390 reversed cocaine-induced locomotion. However, this dose occupied a similar number of D1-like receptors in the NAc as a lower and behaviorally ineffective dose of 0.1 microg/side, but occupied more receptors in the caudate-putamen relative to both the 0.1 and 1.0 microg/side doses. These findings suggest that stimulation of D1-like receptors in the NAc is necessary for cocaine-CPP, but not for cocaine-induced locomotion.

Animals↗

Effects of SCH-23390 on dopamine D1 receptor occupancy and locomotion produced by intraaccumbens cocaine infusion.

This study examined the effects of both systemic and intraaccumbens administration of SCH-23390 in rats on dopamine D1 receptor occupancy and on locomotor activity produced by intraaccumbens infusion of cocaine. In experiment 1, rats received SCH-23390 (0-1 mg/kg, i.p.) 15 minutes prior to intraaccumbens infusion of cocaine (0 or 100 microg/side). In experiment 2, rats received coinfusion of SCH-23390 (0-1 microg/side) and cocaine (0 or 100 microg/side) into the nucleus accumbens (NAc). After behavioral testing, receptors occupied by SCH-23390 were quantified by injecting animals with their respective dose of SCH-23390, followed by a systemic injection of the irreversible antagonist N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ). Receptors occupied by SCH-23390, and therefore protected from EEDQ-induced inactivation, were quantified from autoradiograms of sections labeled with 3H-SCH-23390. Systemic administration of SCH-23390 dose-dependently (0.1-1.0 mg/kg) reversed cocaine-induced locomotion and occupied 72-100% of D1-like receptors in the anterior NAc. D1 receptor occupancy following systemic administration of SCH-23390 was evident as an inverted U-shaped, dose-dependent change, with the greatest occupancy observed at the intermediate dose of 0.3 mg/kg. Intraaccumbens infusion of SCH-23390 did not alter cocaine-induced locomotor activity despite occupying 40-60% of D1-like receptors in the anterior NAc core and shell. The findings that systemic, but not intraaccumbens, administration of SCH-23390 potently reversed locomotion produced by intraaccumbens cocaine infusion suggest that stimulation of D1 receptors in regions other than the NAc is involved in locomotion produced by intraaccumbens infusion of cocaine, and that stimulation of D1 receptors in the NAc is not necessary for this behavior.

Animals↗

Predictive validity of the extinction/reinstatement model of drug craving.

The effects of chronic desmethylimipramine (DMI) treatment on measures of incentive motivation for cocaine were assessed in order to investigate the predictive validity of the extinction/reinstatement model of drug craving. Rats were trained to respond for cocaine infusions (0.75 mg/kg per 0.1 ml i.v.) or received yoked-saline infusions during daily 3-h sessions. A light and tone were presented with the infusions. Following self-administration training, each group received daily injections of either saline or DMI (10 mg/kg, i.p.) for 21 days of withdrawal from the self-administration regimen. On days 12-21 of withdrawal, rats were allowed to respond in the absence of cocaine reinforcement (extinction phase). After reaching an extinction criterion of no responses for 1 h, the cocaine-paired stimuli were repeatedly presented to reinstate responding (reinstatement phase). In the control group, DMI treatment did not alter responding during either test phase, but increased the response latency during the extinction phase. In contrast, DMI treatment in the cocaine group decreased responding and increased the response latency during both test phases, and decreased the extinction latency during the extinction phase. Overall, the effects of DMI were consistent with a reduction of incentive motivation for cocaine, lending support for the predictive validity of the extinction/reinstatement model of drug craving.

Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors↗

Differential effects of 7-OH-DPAT on amphetamine-induced stereotypy and conditioned place preference.

Low doses of the dopamine D3-preferring agonist 7-hydroxy-N,N-di-n-propyl-2-aminotetralin (7-OH-DPAT) produce a behavioral profile that is opposite to that produced by the psychomotor stimulants cocaine and amphetamine. For example, low doses of 7-OH-DPAT produce conditioned place aversion and hypolocomotion, whereas psychomotor stimulants produce conditioned place preference (CPP) and hyperlocomotion. In experiment 1, the effects of low doses of 7-OH-DPAT (0.01-0.1 mg/kg) on d-amphetamine-induced (1 mg/kg) motor behaviors and CPP were assessed. In experiment 2, the effects of 0.1 mg/kg 7-OH-DPAT on d-amphetamine (0-10 mg/kg) dose-response curves for the same behaviors were examined. During conditioning, drug injections were paired with a distinct compartment, whereas saline injections were paired with another compartment. Locomotion and headbobbing were measured following acute and repeated drug administration during conditioning and place conditioning was assessed 24 h following the last conditioning day. In experiment 1, d-amphetamine-induced locomotion was dose-dependently decreased by 7-OH-DPAT following repeated administration, which was probably due to the emergence of headbobbing, a behavior not observed with d-amphetamine alone. d-Amphetamine-CPP was not altered by co-administration of 0-0.03 mg/kg 7-OH-DPAT, but was attenuated by co-administration of 0.1 mg/kg 7-OH-DPAT. In experiment 2, 7-OH-DPAT co-administered with low doses of d-amphetamine (0-0.5 mg/kg) produced a decrease in locomotion following acute administration. However, 7-OH-DPAT produced sensitization of locomotion at the 0.5 mg/kg dose of d-amphetamine and an increase in headbobbing at the 0.5-10 mg/kg doses of d-amphetamine following repeated administration. In contrast, d-amphetamine-CPP was attenuated by co-administration of 7-OH-DPAT. These findings suggest that 0.1 mg/kg 7-OH-DPAT attenuates the reinforcing effects of d-amphetamine despite enhancing stereotypic behaviors.

Amphetamine↗

Amphetamine infused into the ventrolateral striatum produces oral stereotypies and conditioned place preference.

The effects of amphetamine infused into the ventrolateral striatum (VLS) on locomotion, stereotypies, and conditioned place preference (CPP) were investigated. Five 2-day conditioning trials were conducted over 10 consecutive days. On 1 day of each trial, animals received an infusion of amphetamine (0, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 mg/0.5 ml/side) and were placed into a distinct compartment for 30 min. On the other day, animals received sham intracranial infusions and were placed into a different compartment for 30 min. Locomotion and stereotypies were assessed following the first and last amphetamine infusions. CPP was assessed the day following the last conditioning trial. Intra-VLS infusions of amphetamine did not alter sniffing or locomotion. Acute administration of amphetamine into the VLS dose dependently produced oral stereotypies, however, tolerance developed to this effect following repeated administrations. Also, intra-VLS infusions of amphetamine dose dependently produced CPP. These results suggest that the VLS is involved in amphetamine-induced oral stereotypies and reward.

Amphetamine↗

Time-dependent changes in cocaine-seeking behavior and extracellular dopamine levels in the amygdala during cocaine withdrawal.

Cocaine and cocaine-associated cues elicit craving in addicts and reinstate cocaine-seeking behavior in rats. Craving and cocaine-seeking behavior may be mediated by withdrawal-induced changes in dopamine (DA) neurotransmission in the amygdala. To examine whether there are concomittant changes in cocaine-seeking behavior and extracellular DA levels during withdrawal, experimental rats were trained to self-administer cocaine (0.75 mg/kg i.v.). After 14 daily 3-hour training sessions, animals underwent either a 1-day, 1-week, or 1-month withdrawal period. Extracellular DA levels were assessed during baseline, extinction, cue reinstatement, and cocaine (15 mg/kg i.p.) reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior (i.e., defined as the difference in nonreinforced lever presses on an active minus inactive lever). Cocaine-seeking behavior became more intense during the course of cocaine withdrawal. Additionally, basal and cocaine-induced extracellular DA levels were enhanced after the 1-month withdrawal period. We suggest that the former may reflect a persistent elevation in tonic extracellular DA levels in the amygdala, whereas the latter may reflect a persistent elevation in phasic extracellular DA levels.

Amygdala↗

Acute reserpine administration elicits long-term spontaneous oral dyskinesia.

Chronic reserpine administration produces persistent oral dyskinesia accompanied by severe dopamine depletion in the caudate-putamen. The present study examined whether these behavioral and neurochemical effects would persist following acute reserpine administration. Acute administration of reserpine (1 mg/kg, s.c.) produced spontaneous oral dyskinesia that persisted above control levels for at least 84 days. Reserpine also produced a 74% depletion of dopamine in the caudate-putamen relative to vehicle treatment at 3 days post-injection, but did not significantly alter dopamine in the caudate-putamen at 84 days post-injection. The finding that reserpine-induced oral dyskinesia persisted despite repletion of dopamine in the caudate-putamen suggests that the persistent neuropathological change underlying this behavior occurs in a neural pathway other than the dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway.

Animals↗

Effects of D3-preferring agonists 7-OH-PIPAT and PD-128,907 on motor behaviors and place conditioning.

Dose-dependent effects of 7-OH-PIPAT and PD-128,907 on motor behaviors and place conditioning were examined in rats. Four 2-day conditioning trials were conducted over 8 consecutive days. On one day of each trial, animals received an injection of either saline, one of six doses of 7-OH-PIPAT (0.01-10.0 mg/kg), or one of five doses of PD-128,907 (0.01-1.0 mg/kg), and were placed into a distinct compartment for 40 min. On the other day, animals received an injection of saline and were placed into a different compartment for 40 min. Locomotion, sniffing, and yawning were measured following the first and last drug injections. Place conditioning was assessed the day following the last conditioning trial. None of the doses of 7-OH-PIPAT or 0-0.3 mg/kg PD-128,907 produced place conditioning. However, 1 mg/kg PD-128,907 produced conditioned place preference (CPP). Across doses, both 7-OH-PIPAT and PD-128,907 produced a U-shaped change in sniffing and locomotion and an inverted U-shaped change in yawning. Across time, lower doses produced a decrease in sniffing and locomotion and an increase in yawning that were evident immediately, whereas higher doses produced a biphasic change in that there was an initial decrease followed by an increase in sniffing and locomotion. Behaviors produced by both low and high doses were sensitized following repeated administration. PD-128,907 produced CPP and was more potent than 7-OH-PIPAT in altering motor behaviors, possibly due to its greater selectivity for the D3 receptor.

Animals↗

Effects of amphetamine and 6-hydroxydopamine lesions on reserpine-induced oral dyskinesia.

The present study examined whether reserpine-induced oral dyskinesia is mediated by release of residual endogenous dopamine. Amphetamine produced a dose-dependent change in reserpine-induced oral dyskinesia in which the response was exacerbated by 0.6 mg/kg amphetamine and inhibited by 1 mg/kg. The latter dose also produced stereotypy that may have interfered with expression of reserpine-induced oral dyskinesia. Nigrostriatal 6-hydroxydopamine lesions attenuated expression of reserpine-induced oral dyskinesia. These lesions did not reduce locomotor activity, however, indicating that the attenuation of reserpine-induced oral dyskinesia was not due to a general depressant effect of the lesions on motor behavior. These results suggest that increasing dopamine release by administration of amphetamine exacerbates reserpine-induced oral dyskinesia, whereas decreasing the amount of releasable dopamine in the striatum by 6-hydroxydopamine lesions attenuates reserpine-induced oral dyskinsia. These findings may have implications for understanding tardive dyskinesia and L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA)-induced dyskinesia.

Adrenergic Agents↗

Dose-dependent characterization of the rewarding and stimulant properties of cocaine following intraperitoneal and intravenous administration in rats.

Dose-dependent differences in the rewarding and stimulant properties of cocaine administered intravenously (IV) and intraperitoneally (IP) were compared. Six 2-day conditioning trials were conducted over consecutive days. Rats received cocaine and were placed into a compartment on one day of the trial, and were directly placed into a different compartment without drug on the other day. Rats were exposed to the compartments for either 20 or 40 min. The effects of cocaine on stimulant behaviors, including locomotion and stereotypies, were compared following the first and last injection. After conditioning, three tests were given with 1 rest day intervening each: (1) conditioned place preference (CPP) was measured as an increase in the amount of time animals spent in the injection compartment relative to the noninjection compartment when given access to both, (2) conditioned activity (CA) was measured as an increase in stimulant behaviors in cocaine-treated animals relative to saline controls following an injection of saline in the injection compartment and (3) context-independent sensitization was measured as an increase in stimulant behaviors following an injection of cocaine in the noninjection compartment relative to the animals' behavior following the first injection. Cocaine did not reliably produce sensitization of locomotion under any of the conditions examined. Cocaine produced sensitization of headbobbing that was more robust following IP administration than it was following IV administration. In both cases, sensitization of headbobbing involved a context-independent component. Cocaine produced CPP and CA with both routes of administration. CPP was established more readily with 40-min relative to 20-min exposures following IV administration, whereas CA was more prevalent with 20-min relative to 40-min exposures. This study provides a thorough characterization of the behavioral effects of cocaine administered IV and a new efficient method for assessing the effects of cocaine on conditioned and unconditioned behaviors following repeated administration.

Animals↗

Changes in behavioral sensitivity to SKF-38393 and quinpirole following withdrawal from continuous cocaine administration in rats.

The effects of withdrawal from continuous administration of cocaine on spontaneous locomotor activity and behavioral sensitivity to SKF-38393 and quinpirole were examined in rats. Subdermal minipumps that delivered either saline or 20 mg/kg/day cocaine hydrochloride were implanted for 14 days. Spontaneous locomotor activity, SKF-38393-induced (10 mg/kg, SC) grooming and tongue protrusions, and quinpirole-induced locomotor activity and stereotypy (0.32 and 1.0 mg/kg, SC) were examined either 4-5 h or 7 days after removal of the minipumps. Animals withdrawn from cocaine for 4 h exhibited a decrease in spontaneous locomotor activity relative to saline-pretreated controls, whereas animals withdrawn for 7 days did not differ from controls. Animals withdrawn from cocaine for 4 h did not differ from controls in their sensitivity to SKF-38393, whereas animals withdrawn from cocaine for 7 days exhibited an increase in SKF-38393-induced tongue protrusions relative to controls. In contrast, animals withdrawn from cocaine for 4 h exhibited a decrease in quinpirole-induced locomotion, whereas animals withdrawn for 7 days did not differ from controls. There were no differences in sensitivity to quinpirole-induced stereotypy relative to controls at either withdrawal period. These findings suggest that an increased sensitivity of D1-like receptors emerges within 7 days during the course of withdrawal from continuous cocaine administration, whereas a change in sensitivity of D2-like receptors may occur early during withdrawal but normalizes within 7 days.

2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-ben↗