Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Assessment of Cocaine-induced Behavioral Sensitization and Conditioned Place Preference in Mice
Published on: February 18, 2016
Chronic exercise increases sensitivity to the conditioned rewarding effects of cocaine
Mark A Smith1, Samantha R Gergans, Jordan C Iordanou
1Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28035-7037, USA. masmith@davidson.edu
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to determine whether chronic exercise alters sensitivity to the conditioned rewarding effects of cocaine. Female rats were obtained at weaning and randomly assigned to either sedentary or exercise conditions. After 6 weeks under these conditions, the effects of cocaine were examined in the conditioned place preference procedure. Cocaine produced a dose-dependent conditioned place preference in both groups of rats. Exercising rats were more sensitive than sedentary rats to cocaine in this procedure, and this effect was most pronounced at the highest dose of cocaine. These data suggest that chronic exercise increases sensitivity to the conditioned rewarding effects of cocaine.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Desensitization and Tachyphylaxis
Several...
CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids
Real-World Application of Classical Conditioning
Higher-order, or second-order, conditioning occurs when a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an already established conditioned stimulus through repeated pairings. For instance, if a dog has been...
Stimulants
Cocaine can be administered via snorting, injection, or smoking. It primarily functions by blocking the reuptake of dopamine, resulting in a euphoric high characterized by an intense sensation of happiness and...
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena

