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Intravenous cocaine-induced place preference: attenuation by haloperidol
C Spyraki1, G G Nomikos, D D Varonos
1Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Athens, Greece.
Behavioural Brain Research
|October 1, 1987
Summary
Cocaine creates a conditioned place preference (CPP) in rats, indicating reward. Haloperidol blocked intravenous cocaine CPP, suggesting dopamine
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychopharmacology
Background:
- Cocaine is a potent psychostimulant with a high abuse potential.
- Understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of cocaine reward is crucial for developing effective treatments for addiction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of dopaminergic pathways in mediating cocaine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP).
- To examine the effects of haloperidol, a dopamine receptor antagonist, on cocaine CPP.
Main Methods:
- Rats were conditioned to associate a specific location with cocaine administration (intravenous or intraperitoneal).
- Conditioned place preference (CPP) was assessed by measuring the time spent in the cocaine-paired location.
- Haloperidol pretreatment was administered before conditioning trials to evaluate its impact on CPP.
Main Results:
- Significant CPP was observed following both intravenous (i.v.) and intraperitoneal (i.p.) cocaine administration.
- Haloperidol pretreatment (0.2 mg/kg) disrupted CPP induced by i.v. cocaine but not i.p. cocaine.
- The disruptive effect of haloperidol on i.v. cocaine CPP increased with successive conditioning trials.
Conclusions:
- Dopaminergic transmission plays a significant role in the reward associated with i.v. cocaine administration.
- The findings suggest differential involvement of dopaminergic pathways in mediating reward from i.v. versus i.p. cocaine exposure.