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Direct relation between etonitazene dose and response rate: responding under a single FI per session.
Thomas H Gomez1, Richard A Meisch
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 1300 Moursund Street, Houston, TX 77030-3497, USA.
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
|October 27, 2004
Summary
Etonitazene (ETZ) injections reinforced rats' lever pressing behavior in a dose-dependent manner. Higher doses of ETZ resulted in increased response rates, confirming its reinforcing properties.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Drug Addiction Research
Background:
- Response-contingent drug administration is a key method for assessing drug reinforcement.
- Etonitazene (ETZ) is a potent opioid with known psychoactive effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dose-response relationship of etonitazene (ETZ) as a reinforcer in rats.
- To determine if ETZ increases lever pressing behavior in a predictable manner based on dosage.
Main Methods:
- Rats were trained to lever press under a 10-min fixed-interval (FI) schedule.
- Subcutaneous injections of ETZ (0.01, 0.1, 1, 5.7, 10 microg/kg) or saline were administered once per session.
- Response rates were measured to quantify the reinforcing effects of ETZ.
Main Results:
- Response rates significantly increased with ETZ injections compared to saline, confirming ETZ's reinforcing effects.
- A direct positive correlation was observed between ETZ dose and lever pressing response rates.
- The dose-response relationship remained consistent across tested animals.
Conclusions:
- Etonitazene (ETZ) acts as a potent reinforcer in rats, with its effectiveness increasing with dose.
- Administering drugs once per session under fixed-interval schedules provides a reliable measure of reinforcing effects.
- These findings contribute to understanding opioid reinforcement mechanisms and potential for abuse.