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Methods for Intravenous Self Administration in a Mouse Model
Published on: December 8, 2012
Intranasal cocaine self-administration in male mice
Kirsty R Erickson1, Yizhen Quan1, Zahra Z Farahbakhsh1
1Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
Nature Communications
|December 5, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed a new intranasal drug self-administration method for mice, simplifying addiction modeling. This technique avoids surgery and implants, offering a more accessible approach to studying drug use disorder.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral neuroscience
- Addiction research
- Animal models
Background:
- Intravenous drug self-administration is a key method for modeling addiction.
- This traditional technique is complex and declining in utility.
- There is a need for simpler, more effective methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a novel intranasal drug self-administration procedure in head-restrained male mice.
- To overcome the limitations of existing intravenous self-administration methods.
- To provide a more accessible and valid model for studying drug use disorder.
Main Methods:
- Developed a non-surgical intranasal drug self-administration protocol.
- Utilized head-restrained male mice.
- Assessed schedule- and dose-dependent responding and blood drug concentrations.
Main Results:
- The intranasal procedure is easier to implement and does not require surgical expertise or implants.
- Demonstrated robust, schedule- and dose-dependent drug-seeking behavior.
- Achieved high blood cocaine concentrations, validating the model.
- Observed volitional nasal drug insufflation in mice, a behavior previously thought unique to humans.
Conclusions:
- Intranasal drug self-administration offers an improved, accessible model for addiction research.
- This method enhances face validity for modeling cocaine use disorder.
- The study demonstrates volitional nasal drug intake in a non-human animal, expanding our understanding of drug-seeking behaviors.
