Rapid and persistent sensitization to the reinforcing effects of cocaine
by
Morgan D, Liu Y, Roberts DC.
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology,
Wake Forest University School of Medicine,
Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
dmorgan@wfubmc.ed
Neuropsychopharmacology. 2006 Jan;31(1):121-8.


ABSTRACT

The development of drug addiction involves a transition from recreational use to compulsive drug seeking and taking, and this progression can occur rapidly with cocaine use. These data highlight the importance of early drug exposure and the development of drug dependence; however, little experimental attention has been paid to this phenomenon in animal models of drug abuse. The present experiments demonstrate a progressive and rapid sensitization to the reinforcing strength of cocaine assessed using a progressive ratio (PR) schedule in rats. The first experiment found that rats show increased breakpoints over a 2-week period following acquisition. Subsequent experiments examined the role of total cocaine intake during the initial exposure period and found that low intakes (20 mg/kg/day x 5 days) resulted in sensitization, whereas relatively higher intake (60 or 100 mg/kg/day x 5 days) suppressed the development of sensitization. In contrast, this higher level of intake (60 mg/kg/day x 5 days) only transiently suppressed the expression of sensitization. Examination of breakpoints maintained by various doses of cocaine revealed an upward and leftward displacement of the cocaine dose-effect curve, relative to nonsensitized animals. These studies describe a form of sensitization that occurs rapidly to the reinforcing effects of cocaine, and provide a model to study the potential impact of initial experience on the development of drug dependence.


NNOS
Dopamine
The pleasure centres
The nucleus accumbens
Dopamine/D1receptors
Dopamine/D2 receptors
Dopamine/D3 receptors
Dopamine/D4 receptors
Sensitisation/D2 receptor function in mPFC
Varying susceptibility to cocaine sensitisation

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24


Refs
HOME
HedWeb
cocaine.wiki
Future Opioids
BLTC Research
MDMA/Ecstasy
Superhapiness?
Utopian Surgery?
The Abolitionist Project
The Hedonistic Imperative
When Is It Best to Take Crack Cocaine?

swan image
The Good Drug Guide
The Responsible Parent's Guide To
Healthy Mood Boosters For All The Family