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Methods for Intravenous Self Administration in a Mouse Model
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Aversion-resistant fentanyl self-administration in mice
1Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, 90 N Patterson Ave, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA.
Psychopharmacology
|November 23, 2020
Summary
Researchers developed aversion-resistant oral fentanyl self-administration models in mice. These models show that mice continue to self-administer fentanyl even when adulterated with quinine, supporting addiction research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Pharmacology
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Animal models are crucial for understanding addiction mechanisms.
- Existing models lack methods for studying aversion-resistant opioid use despite negative consequences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an aversion-resistant, oral fentanyl self-administration paradigm.
- To investigate opioid-seeking behavior under aversive conditions.
Main Methods:
- Mice were trained to self-administer oral fentanyl using two-bottle choice and operant tasks.
- Quinine, a bittering agent, was added to fentanyl solutions at escalating concentrations.
- Sucrose self-administration was also tested with quinine to establish detection thresholds.
Main Results:
- Mice consumed fentanyl despite the presence of quinine, indicating aversion resistance.
- Quinine reduced sucrose consumption at higher concentrations, confirming detection.
- Opioid self-administration was maintained even when quinine was introduced during training.
Conclusions:
- Developed novel rodent models for studying aversion-resistant oral fentanyl self-administration.
- These models demonstrate compulsive-like opioid-seeking behavior.
- Validated paradigms for future research into the neural basis of addiction.
