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Nornicotine is self-administered intravenously by rats
M T Bardo1, T A Green, P A Crooks
1Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA. mbardo@pop.uky.edu
Psychopharmacology
|December 14, 1999
Summary
Nornicotine, a tobacco alkaloid, was found to be reinforcing in rats, similar to nicotine. This suggests nornicotine contributes to tobacco dependence liability.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Nicotine is a primary tobacco alkaloid driving smoking dependence.
- Other tobacco constituents may also influence addiction.
- Nornicotine is a metabolite of nicotine found in tobacco.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reinforcing effects of nornicotine.
- To determine if nornicotine contributes to tobacco dependence.
Main Methods:
- Rats underwent intravenous self-administration of S(-)-nicotine, RS(+/-)-nornicotine, or saline.
- Operant procedures with increasing response requirements (FR1 to FR5) were used.
- Dose-response functions for nicotine and nornicotine were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Rats self-administered nornicotine significantly more than saline.
- Both nicotine and nornicotine showed reinforcing properties.
- Nornicotine self-administration was reinstated after extinction, confirming its reinforcing effect.
Conclusions:
- Nornicotine exhibits reinforcing effects in rats.
- Nornicotine plays a role in the dependence liability of tobacco use.