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Nicotine self-administration in rats.

Considering the importance of self-administration models in determining mechanisms of drug maintained behavior, we attempted to replicate the findings of nicotine self-administration by Corrigall and Coen. Male, Sprague-Dawley rats, trained on food reinforcement, acquired relatively high and stable rates of self-administration of IV nicotine bitartrate (0.03 mg/kg, free base). Extinction and reacquisition followed substituting saline and then nicotine, respectively. Responses, infusions and intake decreased at 0.003 mg/kg, while intake increased at 0.06 mg/kg. This model of nicotine self-administration provides a reliable alternative to experimenter-administration models for examining the effects of nicotine.

Animals↗

Extracellular serotonin is decreased in the nucleus accumbens during withdrawal from cocaine self-administration.

Many of the withdrawal symptoms reported by human cocaine users are thought to be correlated with serotonergic dysfunction. To explore the neurochemical basis for this hypothesis, we used in vivo microdialysis to monitor extracellular serotonin (5-HT) in the nucleus accumbens of the rat both during and for several hours after unlimited-access intravenous cocaine self-administration. Self-administration of cocaine produced an increase of approx. 340% of baseline in the dialysate concentration of 5-HT that persisted for the entire 12 h session. During the first 6 h after self-administration, dialysate 5-HT levels were significantly decreased to 41% of pre-session levels and 25% of the levels in drug-naive control animals. The effects of cocaine exposure on basal extracellular 5-HT concentrations were also examined using a quantitative microdialysis method (Difference Method). Rats withdrawing from extended-access cocaine self-administration displayed significantly lower extracellular 5-HT levels (0.6 +/- 0.3 nM) than either drug-naive control animals (2.0 +/- 0.5 nM) or animals which received daily 3-h self-administration training sessions only (limited-access; 1.4 +/- 0.2 nM). Together these results indicate that extracellular 5-HT is significantly decreased in the nucleus accumbens during withdrawal from cocaine self-administration. The severity of this decrease is contingent on the length of time cocaine is self-administered.

Animals↗

Distinct proteomic profiles of amphetamine self-administration transitional states.

In the rat, continuous access to d-amphetamine (d-AMPH) leads to lengthy bouts of self-administration, voluntary abstinence, and relapse to self-administration. Previous studies have revealed that the progression from psychostimulant self-administration to abstinence to relapse is mediated in part by the ventral hippocampus. Stimulation of the ventral subiculum (vSub) during voluntary abstinence from d-AMPH self-administration reinstates self-administration and increases nucleus accumbens (NAc) dopamine efflux. Quantitative proteomic examination of the hippocampus from rats naive to amphetamine, during a self-administration session 'Binge', during voluntarily abstinence 'Abstinent', and after reinstatement of self-administration 'Relapse', revealed a differential proteomic state during abstinence. Actin- and cytoskeletal-related proteins were over-represented in the changes occurring during abstinence and suggest a decrease in actin filament polymerization. These changes may underlie alterations in neuronal tone during abstinence that could affect both neurotransmission and behavior. These data provide the first classification of addiction-related behaviors based on clustering of quantitative proteomic measurements. .

Actins↗

Nicotine self-administration in animals and humans: similarities and differences.

Studies of nicotine self-administration in animal and human subjects are discussed with respect to the behavioral paradigms employed, the effects of nicotine dose manipulations and nicotinic agonist/antagonist pretreatment, and the role of neurochemical processes mediating reinforcement. Animal models have focused on intravenous nicotine self-administration, while most studies in human subjects have studied cigarette smoking behavior. Despite procedural differences, data from both animal and human studies show an inverted-U function relating nicotine dose to self-administration behavior, with maximal rates of responding occurring at intermediate doses of nicotine. Moreover, nicotine supplementation via non-contingent nicotine administration suppresses nicotine self-administration behavior in both animal models and human cigarette smokers. Nicotine antagonist treatment also reduces responding, although human studies usually find a transient increase in smoking, which is interpreted as an attempt to compensate for nicotinic receptor blockade. Amongst the neurochemical systems which have been examined, most emphasis has been given to dopamine. The mesolimbic dopamine pathway has been implicated in nicotine reward based on animal studies, and research with humans suggests a role for dopaminergic processes as well. However, dopaminergic blockade appears to increase cigarette smoking behavior in humans, while in animals nicotine self-administration is attenuated. Future research should exploit the complementary aspects of animal models and human paradigms to provide a coherent understanding of nicotine reinforcement. Animal models allow for analysis of anatomical and physiological mechanisms underlying nicotine self-administration; human studies validate the relevance to tobacco dependence and smoking cessation treatment.

Animals↗

Implantable injection port for epidural opiates self-administration.

We organize the self administration of opiates by the epidural route on an out patients basis to relieve cancer pain. After the insertion of a percutaneous epidural catheter, we inject 3 mg of morphine sulfate and observe the patient for a duration of 24 hours in the intensive care unit. Then, an implantable, subcutaneous device is placed, connected to the epidural space by a silastic catheter placed through a 14 G Tuohy needle. After a careful training programme given at the hospital, the patient is allowed to go home. His progress is followed in the oncologic consultation unit every 15 days. The results are analysed in view of the rare side effects and of the good pain relief. The implantable port seems to be a valuable method to relieve cancer pain, but needs a rigourous technique and training.

Anesthesia, Epidural↗

Effects of monoamine reuptake inhibitors on cocaine self-administration in rats.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of acute administration of monoamine reuptake inhibitors on cocaine self-administration in rats. Pretreatment with GBR 12909 (1-5.6 mg/kg, IV), a dopamine-selective reuptake inhibitor, produced a dose-dependent and large reduction in the self-administration of cocaine (1 mg/kg/infusion). The 3- and 5.6-mg/kg doses of GBR 12909 produced downward shifts in the dose-response curves for cocaine (0.3-3 mg/kg/infusion) self-administration. Unlike GBR 12909, the norepinephrine-selective reuptake inhibitors, desipramine and nisoxetine, at a 10-mg/kg dose produced small, but significant, reductions in the self-administration of cocaine (1 mg/kg/infusion). The 10-mg/kg dose of fluoxetine, a serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitor, produced a small, but not significant, reduction in the self-administration of cocaine. The 10-mg/kg dose of desipramine, nisoxetine, or fluoxetine produced brief respiratory distress and motor abnormalities immediately following IV injections, thereby suggesting that this dose is close to the toxic range for all three drugs. Desipramine, nisoxetine, or fluoxetine at nontoxic doses of 1 and 3 mg/kg had no significant effects on cocaine self-administration. These data indicate that the acute enhancement of endogenous dopaminergic activity by pretreatment with dopamine reuptake inhibitor reduces the total intake of cocaine, thus supporting the hypothesis that the dopamine is critically involved in the reinforcing properties of cocaine. The data also suggest that the acute enhancements in the endogenous norepinephrine or serotonin systems by nontoxic doses of norepinephrine- or serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitors do not appear to alter the reinforcing properties of cocaine.

Animals↗

Effects of agmatine on the escalation of intravenous cocaine and fentanyl self-administration in rats.

Escalation of drug intake reliably occurs when animals are allowed extended self-administration access. As a form of plasticity, escalation of drug intake may be accompanied by neuroadaptive changes that are related to the transition from controlled use to addiction. The purpose of the present experiment was to examine the effects of agmatine (decarboxylated L-arginine) on the escalation of intravenous (iv) fentanyl and cocaine self-administration in rats. Subjects were allowed 12 h of daily access to fentanyl (2.5 microg/kg) or cocaine (0.2 mg/kg) under a fixed-ratio (FR) 1 schedule of reinforcement for 30 days. Animals self-administering fentanyl were distributed into three groups: (1) low-dose agmatine (10 mg/kg) throughout self-administration; (2) high-dose agmatine (30 mg/kg) throughout self-administration; and (3) high-dose agmatine after significant escalation (Day 18) of drug intake had occurred. Animals in a fourth group were pretreated with a high dose of agmatine throughout 30 days of cocaine self-administration. Both doses of agmatine, when given throughout self-administration, significantly decreased the escalation of responding that occurred for fentanyl but not cocaine. In the group that received agmatine after significant escalation had occurred, fentanyl-maintained responding was not significantly altered. These data indicate that agmatine attenuates the escalation of fentanyl self-administration if administered before the escalation begins and may mediate neuroadaptive events related to chronic opioid self-administration.

Agmatine↗

Strain and schedule-dependent differences in the acquisition, maintenance and extinction of intravenous cannabinoid self-administration in rats.

Cannabinoids have been reported to sustain self-administration in laboratory animals; however, genetic differences and environmental factors critical in the initiation and retention of such behaviour are yet to be defined. This study investigated the acquisition, maintenance and extinction of self-administration of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist WIN 55,212-2 (6.25-25 microg/kg/inf) in Long Evans, Lister Hooded and Sprague-Dawley rats under a continuous schedule of reinforcement and two different response-like operanda, nose-poking and lever-pressing. Results showed that Long Evans and Lister Hooded, but not Sprague Dawley, rats acquired and retained stable cannabinoid self-administration behaviour under both modus operandi, as defined by significant differences between responding in the active versus the inactive hole/lever. In rats developing firm self-administration, substitution of saline for WIN 55,212-2 extinguished the responding, supporting the notion that cannabinoids may serve as a positive reinforcer in laboratory animals. Nevertheless, significant differences among strains and responding modalities were observed in the percentage of acquisition, amount of drug intake during maintenance and timing of extinction. In addition, no significant strain differences were found in motor response to WIN 55,212-2 (0.3 and 3.0 mg/kg), thus excluding that strain differences observed during cannabinoid self-administration could be related to different cannabinoid-induced locomotor effects.

Analgesics↗

Buprenorphine and naltrexone effects on cocaine self-administration by rhesus monkeys.

The effects of daily treatment with buprenorphine (0.237-0.70 mg/kg/day), naltrexone (0.32-3.20 mg/kg/day) and saline on cocaine self-administration were compared in rhesus monkeys. Cocaine (0.05 or 0.10 mg/kg/injection) and food (1-g banana pellets) self-administration were maintained on a fixed-ratio 4 (variable ratio 16:S) schedule of reinforcement. Buprenorphine, naltrexone or an equal volume saline control solution were infused slowly over 1 hr through one lumen of a double lumen i.v. catheter at the same time each day. Saline and each dose of buprenorphine (0.237, 0.40 and 0.70 mg/kg/day) or naltrexone (0.32 and 3.20 mg/kg/day) were studied for 60 sessions over 15 consecutive days. Buprenorphine significantly suppressed cocaine self-administration (P less than .001-.0001) in comparison to saline in all monkeys. Cocaine self-administration decreased by 49 to 95% in five of six monkeys on the 1st day of buprenorphine administration (0.237 and 0.40 mg/kg/day) and remained suppressed by an average of 72 to 93% during buprenorphine treatment. After abrupt termination of buprenorphine treatment (0.237 and 0.70 mg/kg/day), cocaine self-administration remained suppressed for an average of 16 +/- 4.4 and 28 +/- 6.6 days, respectively. Buprenorphine (0.237 and 0.40 mg/kg/day) initially suppressed food self-administration in some monkeys (P less than .01), but tolerance developed to buprenorphine's effects on food-maintained responding whereas cocaine self-administration remained significantly suppressed. During treatment with 0.70 mg/kg/day of buprenorphine, food self-administration returned to or significantly exceeded (P less than .01) base-line levels in three animals. Daily patterns of food self-administration were not disrupted by buprenorphine treatment. Naltrexone (0.32 mg/kg/day) initially suppressed cocaine self-administration by an average of 28% over 15 days (P less than .0009). During high-dose naltrexone treatment (3.20 mg/kg/day), cocaine-maintained responding was suppressed by 25% over 15 days (P less than .01). Cocaine-maintained responding was not significantly changed by naltrexone in one of the five subjects. Food self-administration decreased by 24% (P less than .05) after 5 days of 0.32 mg/kg of naltrexone administration, then exceeded baseline levels during 3.20 mg/kg of naltrexone administration. These data suggest that buprenorphine decreases cocaine's reinforcing properties more effectively than naltrexone across the dose-range studied. Buprenorphine may be an effective pharmacotherapy for treatment of cocaine abuse as well as dual abuse of cocaine plus heroin.

Animals↗

[Rapid establishment of nicotine intravenous self-administration behavior in rats].

The reinforcing effect of nicotine was investigated using the intravenous self-administration method in rats. After forced iv injection of nicotine (3, 10 and 30 micrograms/kg/inj) at 1-hr intervals for 3 days in 3 dose-level groups, self-administration sessions under the continuous reinforcement schedule were carried out for 15 days. Rats initiated self-administration of nicotine rapidly in 10 and 30 micrograms/kg/inj groups. Daily self-administration responses by nicotine (30 micrograms/kg/inj) were 3-10 times the control levels. Total self-administration responses for 15 days increased in a dose dependent manner. When the fixed ratio was increased from 1 to 4 and 8 after the 15 days self-administration session in the nicotine (10 and 30 micrograms/kg/inj) groups, lever press responses increased only about 2 times, and self-administration responses decreased in the both groups. These findings suggest that nicotine becomes a reinforcer rapidly, but the magnitude of reinforcing effect is relatively week after the acquisition of nicotine for a short period.

Animals↗

Operant ethanol self-administration after nicotine treatment and withdrawal.

The effects of chronic intermittent administration of nicotine (NIC) and withdrawal on operant ethanol (EtOH) self-administration were tested in Long-Evans rats (n = 8). EtOH self-administration (10% v/v, Fixed Ratio 4 reinforcement schedule) was induced by the sucrose-substitution procedure. Then the animals were divided into two groups of four rats matched on EtOH self-administration and the locomotor activity following an injection of NIC (0.35 mg/kg, SC) or saline was measured. The groups then received 9 days of injection of either NIC (0.35 mg/kg) or saline and then motor activity was retested using the initial NIC dose. This was followed by 17 days of NIC injections (0.6 mg/kg) or saline injections. A final locomotor test using the higher NIC dose was then conducted. The initial acute administration of NIC had no effect on motor activity compared to saline (measured by the number of horizontal movements). However, after the repeated treatment, the group of animals injected chronically and acutely with NIC showed motor activation in comparison with the animals injected chronically with saline and injected acutely with NIC only on the days of activity testing. At the end of the chronic NIC treatment, operant EtOH self-administration was not changed. However, 6 days after the NIC injections were concluded, a change in the pattern of responding for EtOH was observed in the NIC group, showing a decrease in the mean rate of responding during the first half of the operant self-administration session. When both groups were again tested for locomotor activity at the end of the operant self-administration experiment, the increased motor activity in the NIC group was still observed. The results suggest that alterations in the nicotinic system may affect EtOH self-administration, but this appears to be only modulatory, even with a significant change in locomotor response to NIC following chronic NIC administration.

Animals↗

Characterization of the effects of the partial dopamine agonist terguride on cocaine self-administration in the rat.

Dopamine neurotransmission is an important neuropharmacological component of cocaine self-administration in rodents. Terguride is a prototype drug belonging to a recently characterized class of compounds, dopamine partial agonists, which appear to possess a unique pharmacological profile in altering dopamine neurotransmission, where these drugs act as antagonists in conditions of high dopaminergic tone. The aim of the present study was therefore to test the effects of systemic administration of terguride in rats self-administering cocaine intravenously. The different aspects of cocaine self-administration examined after treatment with terguride were (a) the acute reinforcing properties of cocaine in rats exposed to limited-access self-administration of cocaine, (b) a full cocaine dose-effect function, (c) the reinforcing properties of cocaine as measured by a progressive ratio schedule and (d) the ability of terguride to maintain self-administration by itself. Terguride (0.025-0.4 mg/kg i.p.) significantly and dose-dependently reduced the acute reinforcing properties of cocaine as measured by an increase in responding for a single training dose of cocaine and a reduction of the inter-reinforcement interval. In addition, terguride (0.2-0.4 mg/kg) shifted the entire cocaine dose-effect function to the right, thus showing an antagonism of the reinforcing properties of cocaine independent of response rate. Moreover, in rats trained to self-administer cocaine on a progressive ratio schedule, terguride reduced the maximum fixed ratio ("breaking point") for cocaine reinforcement, also suggesting a decrease in the reinforcing properties of cocaine. Finally, in rats trained to self-administer cocaine terguride did not substitute for cocaine, thus indicating that terguride does not maintain intravenous self-administration by itself.

Animals↗

Pneumonitis after intravenous self-administration of solvent.

Intravenous self-administration of petroleum distillates is a rare condition. Most experience with petroleum distillates poisoning is with ingestion by children, and the most common and serious manifestation is chemical pneumonitis. We report a case of chemical pneumonitis after intravenous self-administration of ink solvent.

Adult↗

Comparison of mesocorticolimbic neuronal responses during cocaine and heroin self-administration in freely moving rats.

To compare neuronal activity within the mesocorticolimbic circuit during the self-administration of cocaine and heroin, multiple-channel single-unit recordings of spike activity within the rat medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) were obtained during the consecutive self-administration of cocaine and heroin within the same session. The variety of neuronal responses observed before the lever press are termed anticipatory responses, and those observed after the lever press are called post-drug infusion responses. For the total of the 110 mPFC and 111 NAc neurons recorded, 30-50% of neurons, depending on the individual sessions, had no alteration in spike activity in relation to either cocaine or heroin self-administration. Among the neurons exhibiting significant neuronal responses during a self-administration session, only a small portion (16-25%) of neurons responded similarly under both reinforcement conditions; the majority of neurons (75-84%) responded differently to cocaine and heroin self-administration as revealed by variations in both anticipatory and/or post-drug infusion responses. A detailed video analysis of specific movements to obtain the self-administration of both drugs provided evidence against the possibility that locomotive differences contributed to the observed differences in anticipatory responses. The overall mean activity of neurons recorded in mPFC and NAc measured across the duration of the session segment for either cocaine or heroin self-administration also was different for some neurons under the two reinforcement conditions. This study provides direct evidence that, in mPFC and NAc, heterogeneous neuronal circuits mediate cocaine and heroin self-administration and that distinct, but overlapping, subpopulations of neurons in these areas become active during operant responding for different reinforcers.

Action Potentials↗

Effects of cocaine self-administration on plasma corticosterone and prolactin in rats.

The effects of i.v. cocaine self-administration under "naturalistic" conditions on plasma corticosterone (CORT) and prolactin (PRL) were investigated in male Sprague-Dawley rats. After the determination of plasma CORT and PRL levels under basal conditions before access to cocaine for self-administration, rats were allowed to self-administer cocaine (0.25, 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 mg/kg/infusion i.v.) by pressing a response lever under a continuous schedule of cocaine reinforcement during five daily consecutive 10-h sessions. Plasma CORT was significantly increased and plasma PRL was significantly reduced after each of the five self-administration sessions. The effects of cocaine on plasma CORT were intake-dependent, as demonstrated by significant positive correlations between postsession plasma CORT and total cocaine intake within the preceding sessions. The effects of cocaine on PRL were also intake-dependent but only on the first day of self-administration, on which a significant negative correlation was observed between cocaine intake and postsession PRL. In contrast, significant correlations between PRL and cocaine intake were not observed during any subsequent session, apparently reflecting adaptations to cocaine-induced PRL release. Alterations in neuroendocrine homeostasis emerged over time. Reductions in presession CORT values, as well as a persistent blunting of the diurnal CORT peak, were observed. Similarly, there was a modest but significant attenuation of plasma PRL when measured 4 days after the termination of cocaine self-administration. Alterations in neuroendocrine function associated with self-administration may be related to the development of cocaine dependence and could contribute to relapse in abstinent users.

Animals↗

Development, maintenance and temporal pattern of self-administration maintained by ecstasy (MDMA) in rats.

RATIONALE: +/-3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; "ecstasy") use is increasing around the globe but there is a paucity of studies examining the abuse liability of this drug. OBJECTIVES: The ability of drugs to reinforce operant responding in laboratory animals is a valid and reliable predictor of abuse potential. MDMA is self-administered by humans, but there have been few reports of reliable self-administration by drug-naive laboratory animals. The present study sought to examine the acquisition and maintenance of MDMA self-administration by laboratory rats. The influence of prior training with cocaine self-administration on the acquisition of MDMA self-administration was also examined. METHODS: MDMA self-administration (0.25-2.0 mg/kg per infusion) was examined in rats that were first trained to self-administer cocaine as well as by those that were drug-naive. The dose-dependency of MDMA self-administration and the temporal pattern of responding maintained by various doses of MDMA were examined. In some rats, self-administration of MDMA during a 24-h session was also examined. RESULTS: MDMA was self-administered by laboratory rats that were experienced with self-administration of cocaine as well as by rats that were initially drug naive. For drug naive rats, the acquisition of MDMA self-administration (1.0 mg/kg per infusion) developed gradually during daily test sessions. The latency to acquisition of self-administration was shorter in cocaine-trained rats. Self-administration was dose-dependent, extinguished when saline was substituted for MDMA and, was reinstated when MDMA was reintroduced. During a 24-h self-administration session, a high rate of responding was produced during the first hour of the test session followed by a steady and lower rate of two to four responses per hour during subsequent hours of the test. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that prior experience with cocaine self-administration facilitates the acquisition of MDMA self-administration. The results also suggest that MDMA has abuse liability and that increased use of the drug should raise concern of a growing and widespread potential for chronic abuse.

Animals↗

Priming threshold: a novel quantitative measure of the reinstatement of cocaine self-administration.

The intravenous injection of cocaine has been reported to reliably reinstate (prime) the self-administration of cocaine in animals. We report herein that there is a cocaine priming threshold in rats trained to self-administer cocaine. The cocaine priming threshold is defined as the minimum level of cocaine in the body that will reinstate maintained cocaine self-administration. The mean cocaine priming threshold in rats was calculated to be approximately 186 to 212 microg kg(-1). Therefore, any injection, series of injections or continuous infusion that result in a level of cocaine equivalent to that produced by a single intravenous injection of this range of doses, will reinstate cocaine self-administration. The priming threshold was significantly increased by the D(1) dopamine receptor antagonist SCH23390 (10 microg kg(-1), i.v.), indicating a role for dopaminergic neurotransmission. The priming threshold, but not the inter-injection interval of maintained self-administration, was increased following withdrawal from a 7-day infusion of D-amphetamine. In addition, there was no correlation between the cocaine priming threshold and the inter-injection intervals of maintained cocaine self-administration. Therefore, the mechanisms underlying the reinstatement of cocaine self-administration are distinct from the mechanisms underlying the maintenance of cocaine self-administration and they are differentially regulated. It is possible that the priming threshold may represent a distinct target for medications development.

Analysis of Variance↗

Self-administration of cannabinoids by experimental animals and human marijuana smokers.

Drug self-administration behavior has been one of the most direct and productive approaches for studying the reinforcing effects of psychoactive drugs, which are critical in determining their abuse potential. Cannabinoids, which are usually abused by humans in the form of marijuana, have become the most frequently abused illicit class of drugs in the United States. The early elucidation of the structure and stereochemistry of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in 1964, which is now recognized as the principal psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, activated cannabinoid research worldwide. This review examines advances in research on cannabinoid self-administration behavior by humans and laboratory animals. There have been numerous laboratory demonstrations of the reinforcing effects of cannabinoids in human subjects, but reliable self-administration of cannabinoids by laboratory animals has only recently been demonstrated. It has now been shown that strong and persistent self-administration behavior can be maintained in experimentally and drug-naïve squirrel monkeys by doses of THC comparable to those in marijuana smoke inhaled by humans. Furthermore, reinforcing effects of some synthetic CB1 cannabinoid agonists have been recently reported using intravenous and intracerebroventricular self-administration procedures in rats and mice. These findings support previous conclusions that THC has a pronounced abuse liability comparable to other drugs of abuse under certain experimental conditions. Self-administration of THC by squirrel monkeys provides the most reliable animal model for human marijuana abuse available to date. This animal model now makes it possible to study the relative abuse liability of other natural and synthetic cannabinoids and to preclinically assess new therapeutic strategies for the treatment or prevention of marijuana abuse in humans.

Animals↗