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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Methods for Intravenous Self Administration in a Mouse Model
12:09

Methods for Intravenous Self Administration in a Mouse Model

Published on: December 8, 2012

An optimized procedure for robust volitional cocaine intake in mice.

Alberto J López1, Amy R Johnson1, Ansley J Kunnath2

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University/Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology
|July 14, 2020
PubMed
Summary

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Mouse models of substance use disorder (SUD) are crucial for research. A novel variable-ratio reinforcement schedule improves mouse self-administration models, enhancing the study of volitional drug consumption.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Behavioral Science
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Substance use disorder (SUD) is a complex behavioral disorder.
  • Mouse models are vital for studying SUD mechanisms using advanced molecular and genetic tools.
  • The validity of mouse models hinges on accurately reflecting volitional drug consumption.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the validity of current mouse self-administration models for SUD research.
  • To develop an improved mouse self-administration procedure for studying volitional drug intake.
  • To address limitations in fixed-ratio reinforcement schedules used in mouse SUD models.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed mouse self-administration behavior under fixed-ratio (FR) and variable-ratio (VR) reinforcement schedules.

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Methods for Intravenous Self Administration in a Mouse Model
12:09

Methods for Intravenous Self Administration in a Mouse Model

Published on: December 8, 2012

Assessment of Cocaine-induced Behavioral Sensitization and Conditioned Place Preference in Mice
10:28

Assessment of Cocaine-induced Behavioral Sensitization and Conditioned Place Preference in Mice

Published on: February 18, 2016

A Protocol for Measuring Cue Reactivity in a Rat Model of Cocaine Use Disorder
07:51

A Protocol for Measuring Cue Reactivity in a Rat Model of Cocaine Use Disorder

Published on: June 18, 2018

  • Compared responding in the presence and absence of drug delivery under FR schedules.
  • Developed and validated a novel VR schedule procedure for mouse self-administration without sucrose pretraining.

    • Main Results:

    • Commonly used FR schedules in mice showed similar responding with or without drug delivery, questioning the volitional nature of consumption.
    • The novel VR schedule procedure significantly increased reinforcement behavior rates and drug intake.
    • The VR schedule resulted in a clearer distinction between drug- and saline-reinforced conditions.

    Conclusions:

    • Fixed-ratio schedules in mouse models complicate the analysis of volitional drug consumption in substance use disorder.
    • Variable-ratio schedules offer a more robust and valid approach for preclinical SUD research in mice.
    • This improved methodology enhances the reliability of mouse models for investigating SUD mechanisms.