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Stimulants are substances that enhance neural activity and elevate dopamine levels in the brain, leading to their highly addictive nature. These drugs include cocaine, amphetamines, MDMA, caffeine, and nicotine, each with distinct mechanisms of action and varied health implications.
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Nicotine modifies cocaine responding in a concurrent self-administration model.

Monica H Dawes1, Paige M Estave2, Steven E Albertson1

  • 1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, United States.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence
|September 13, 2023
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Summary

Nicotine may increase the reinforcing effects of cocaine, potentially impacting cocaine use disorder (CUD) treatment. This study found nicotine enhanced motivation for cocaine in rats, suggesting combined use warrants further investigation for CUD pharmacotherapies.

Keywords:
CocaineNicotinePolysubstance useSelf-administration

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Addiction Research

Background:

  • Preclinical models for cocaine use disorder (CUD) have not led to FDA-approved treatments.
  • Real-world drug use patterns, like combined cocaine and nicotine intake, may be more relevant than isolated cocaine use.
  • Nicotine may potentiate cocaine's effects and reinforcing strength.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how nicotine affects cocaine self-administration and motivation in rats.
  • To determine if nicotine alters the reinforcing properties of cocaine.

Main Methods:

  • Rats underwent intravenous cocaine self-administration under a Fixed Ratio one (FR1) schedule.
  • Rats were then switched to self-administering a combination of cocaine and nicotine.
  • Motivation to self-administer cocaine alone versus in combination with nicotine was assessed using a Progressive Ratio (PR) schedule.

Main Results:

  • Under long access conditions, rats self-administering both cocaine and nicotine showed reduced responding and response rates compared to cocaine alone, with no escalation.
  • However, under Progressive Ratio conditions, the dose-response curve for the cocaine-nicotine combination was shifted upward, indicating increased motivation.
  • Nicotine appeared to enhance the reinforcing strength of cocaine.

Conclusions:

  • Nicotine may significantly enhance the reinforcing effects of cocaine.
  • This enhancement, particularly evident in motivation to obtain the drug, could have implications for understanding and treating cocaine use disorder.
  • Further research into the combined effects of cocaine and nicotine is warranted for developing effective pharmacotherapies.