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Choice between delayed food and immediate oxycodone in rats.
Maria E Secci1, Julie A Factor1, Charles W Schindler1
1Preclinical Pharmacology Section, Behavioral Neuroscience Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, 251 Bayview Blvd, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Psychopharmacology
|September 29, 2016
Summary
Researchers developed a rodent model for addiction, showing rats prefer immediate oxycodone over delayed food. This model can test anti-addiction treatments and explore addiction mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral neuroscience
- Addiction research
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Addiction is characterized by prioritizing immediate drug effects over delayed rewards.
- Understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of this choice is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a rodent model that mimics the human choice to prefer immediate drugs over delayed rewards.
- To assess the utility of this model for evaluating potential anti-addiction medications.
Main Methods:
- Rats were given a choice between immediate intravenous oxycodone and delayed palatable food pellets.
- Food and drug intake were compared across different delay intervals and conditions (food-only, drug-only, food-drug choice).
- The effects of noncontingent pre-treatment with oxycodone (substitution) and naltrexone (antagonist) were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Rats preferred delayed food up to 30 seconds, but chose oxycodone over food at delays of 60 seconds and longer.
- Food availability reduced drug intake, while drug availability increased food intake.
- Naltrexone decreased drug intake and increased food intake, whereas oxycodone pre-treatment reduced both.
Conclusions:
- The developed rodent model accurately reflects human addiction-related choices between immediate drugs and delayed rewards.
- This model shows promise for screening anti-addiction therapies and investigating the neural mechanisms of addiction.