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A Protocol for Measuring Cue Reactivity in a Rat Model of Cocaine Use Disorder
Published on: June 18, 2018
How to make a rat addicted to cocaine
David C S Roberts1, Drake Morgan, Yu Liu
1Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, United States. dcsrobts@wfubmc.edu
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry
|September 25, 2007
Summary
Researchers developed rat models to study cocaine addiction, revealing conditions that escalate drug-seeking behavior. This escalation suggests a developmental sequence in addiction, offering insights into recreational use transitioning to binge intake.
Area of Science:
- Neurobiology
- Addiction Science
- Behavioral Pharmacology
Background:
- Cocaine self-administration models in rats are crucial for understanding reinforcement neurobiology.
- A key question is whether reinforcement models accurately reflect the progressive nature of addiction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review theoretical strategies for modeling the addiction process.
- To present experimental data on conditions that induce progressive changes in cocaine self-administration motivation in rats.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing rat models of cocaine self-administration.
- Employing progressive ratio schedules to measure motivation (breakpoints).
- Manipulating variables such as drug dose, injection speed, and intake levels.
Main Results:
- Identified conditions that lead to a robust and persistent escalation in breakpoints for cocaine self-administration.
- Demonstrated that high drug intake can paradoxically slow the development of escalated motivation, suggesting a developmental sequence.
- Showed that dose and speed of injection influence the escalation phenomenon.
Conclusions:
- The escalation of cocaine self-administration motivation in rats models progressive aspects of addiction.
- Addiction development appears to follow a sequence, influenced by factors like drug intake levels.
- Parameters such as dose, price, and availability can be investigated to understand the transition from recreational use to binge intake.
