5-HT_1B receptor agonist attenuates cocaine self-administration after protracted abstinence and relapse in rats

The 5-HT_1B receptor (5-HT_1BR) agonist, CP94253, enhances cocaine intake during maintenance of self-administration (SA) but attenuates intake after 21 days of forced abstinence in male rats.

We examined whether CP94253 attenuates cocaine intake in female rats after a period of abstinence, and if these attenuating effects persist or revert to enhancing cocaine intake during resumption (i.e. relapse) of daily cocaine SA.

Male and female rats trained to lever press on a fixed ratio 5 schedule of cocaine reinforcement underwent ⩾21 days of forced abstinence. They were then tested for the effects of CP94253 (5.6 mg/kg, SC) or vehicle on cocaine SA. During the test session, rats had 1-h access to the training dose of cocaine (0.75 mg/kg, IV) followed by 1-h access to a lower cocaine dose (0.075 mg/kg, IV). Rats then resumed cocaine SA for 15 days to mimic relapse and were retested as done previously. Subsequently, rats underwent abstinence again (21-60 days) and were tested for CP94253 effects on locomotion and cue reactivity (i.e. responding for light/tone cues previously paired with cocaine infusions).

Regardless of sex, CP94253 decreased cocaine intake after abstinence and during resumption of SA and decreased cue reactivity while having no effect on locomotion.

CP94253 decreases cocaine intake and cocaine seeking in both males and females even after resumption of cocaine SA. These findings suggest that the inhibitory effects of CP94253 observed after abstinence are long-lasting, and therefore, 5-HT_1BR agonists may have clinical efficacy as anti-relapse medications for cocaine use disorders.