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Updated: Nov 22, 2025
A Conditioned Place Preference Protocol for Measuring Incubation of Craving in Rats
Published on: November 6, 2018
Effects of environmental enrichment on reinstatement of methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preference
Yusuf S Althobaiti1, Atiah H Almalki2
1Taif University, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Taif, Saudi Arabia; Taif University, College of Pharmacy, Addiction and Neuroscience Research Unit, Taif, Saudi Arabia.
Objective:
The influence of environmental enrichment (EE) on reinstatement to methamphetamine (METH) seeking in rat model was investigated.
Methods:
Wistar rats were divided to receive saline (1 ml/kg) or METH (1 mg/kg, i.p.) for 8 days during the conditioning training in the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm, which is one of the most popular models to study the motivational effects of drugs and non-drug treatments in experimental animals. Rats were then kept in either isolated (IE) or enriched environment (EE) for 30 days during the extinction training. Animals were finally examined for reinstatement provoked by i.p. injections of METH.
Results:
Saline injections during the conditioning phase did not change CPP during reinstatement in animals of IE or EE control groups. METH injections reinstated place preference in the IE animal group. Interestingly, EE significantly blocked this reinstatement effects of METH.
Conclusion:
These results show the important role of social interactions and positive environment conditions in preventing reinstatement to drug use.
Insights
Environmental enrichment (EE) significantly blocked methamphetamine (METH) seeking reinstatement in rats. Positive environments and social interactions are crucial for preventing relapse to drug use.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Drug addiction is a chronic relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use.
- Methamphetamine (METH) is a potent psychostimulant with high addictive potential.
- Environmental factors are known to influence drug seeking behavior and relapse.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of environmental enrichment (EE) on the reinstatement of METH seeking behavior in a rat model.
- To determine if EE can attenuate the conditioned place preference (CPP) induced by METH.
- To explore the role of social interactions and environmental conditions in preventing drug relapse.
Main Methods:
- Wistar rats underwent conditioning with saline or METH (1 mg/kg) for 8 days using the CPP paradigm.
- Following conditioning, rats were housed in either isolated (IE) or enriched environments (EE) for 30 days during extinction training.
- Reinstatement of METH seeking behavior was assessed via i.p. injections of METH.
Main Results:
- Saline-treated control groups in both IE and EE showed no change in CPP during reinstatement.
- METH injections reinstated place preference in rats housed in the isolated environment (IE).
- Environmental enrichment (EE) significantly blocked the reinstatement of METH-induced place preference.
Conclusions:
- EE plays a critical role in preventing the reinstatement of drug seeking behavior.
- Social interactions and positive environmental conditions are vital in mitigating relapse to METH use.
- These findings highlight the potential of environmental interventions in addiction treatment strategies.
