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Assessing pentobarbital preference in normal volunteers using a cumulative dosing procedure.
H de Wit1, J Pierri, C E Johanson
1Department of Psychiatry, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, IL 60637.
Psychopharmacology
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Healthy volunteers showed a slight preference for pentobarbital over placebo, choosing the drug in 52% of sessions. Individual differences in drug liking and choice were noted despite modest sedative effects.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Pentobarbital is a sedative-hypnotic drug with potential for abuse.
- Understanding drug preference is crucial for assessing abuse liability.
- Previous studies have used choice procedures to evaluate drug reinforcement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess pentobarbital preference in healthy volunteers.
- To investigate the reinforcing effects of pentobarbital.
- To explore individual differences in drug choice and liking.
Main Methods:
- A seven-session cumulative dosing choice procedure was used.
- Twelve healthy volunteers participated.
- Subjects sampled pentobarbital (30 mg/dose) and placebo, then chose their preferred substance over multiple doses.
Main Results:
- Volunteers chose pentobarbital in 52% of choice sessions.
- Average total pentobarbital dose ingested was 132 mg.
- Modest sedative effects were observed, with limited euphoria, but significant individual differences in preference emerged.
Conclusions:
- Pentobarbital exhibits some reinforcing effects in humans, but less than other sedatives.
- Individual variability in drug liking and choice is a key factor.
- Further research is needed to understand factors influencing pentobarbital's reinforcing properties.