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A Procedure for Studying the Footshock-Induced Reinstatement of Cocaine Seeking in Laboratory Rats
Published on: January 6, 2011
Adaptation to repeated cocaine administration in rats
Zbigniew K Binienda1, Frederico Pereira, Kenneth Alper
1Division of Neurotoxicology, NCTR/FDA, Jefferson, Arkansas 72029, USA. zbinienda@nctr.fda.gov
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|July 10, 2002
Summary
Repeated cocaine exposure in rats significantly reduced slow-wave brain activity, specifically in delta frequency bands. This finding in animal models mirrors human studies on cocaine dependence and brain activity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Neurophysiology
Background:
- Quantitative electroencephalogram (EEG) studies reveal reduced slow-wave brain activity in cocaine-dependent humans.
- This deficit is characterized by diminished EEG power in delta and theta frequency bands.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of repeated cocaine exposure on electrocorticogram (ECoG) activity and dopamine levels in rats.
- To determine if animal models replicate human findings of cocaine-induced alterations in slow-wave brain activity.
Main Methods:
- Electrophysiological measures (ECoG) were recorded from rats with epidural electrodes over the somatosensory cortex.
- Rats received daily intraperitoneal injections of cocaine HCl (15 mg/kg) for two weeks.
- Dopamine (DA) and metabolite concentrations were measured in the caudate nucleus (CN) and frontal cortex (FC) using HPLC/EC.
Main Results:
- Cocaine exposure led to significant increases in DA concentrations in both CN and FC, with decreased DA turnover.
- Fast Fourier transformation analysis showed a significant reduction in slow-wave delta frequency band power post-cocaine exposure.
- These electrophysiological changes in rats align with findings in human cocaine-dependent populations.
Conclusions:
- Repeated cocaine exposure induces a decrease in slow-wave brain activity, consistent with human studies.
- The study suggests that animal models can effectively replicate cocaine's impact on brain activity.
- Further research is needed to explore the role of regional blood flow and metabolic activity in these observed changes.
