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Interoceptive conditioning through repeated suppression of morphine-abstinence. II. Relapse-testing
The Pavlovian Journal of Biological Science
|July 1, 1979
Summary
Rats injected with morphine daily showed increased etonitazene consumption, suggesting conditioned drug reinforcement. Continuous morphine infusion did not produce this effect, highlighting the role of withdrawal cycles.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Physical dependence and tolerance to opioids like morphine are significant clinical concerns.
- Understanding the mechanisms of drug reinforcement is crucial for addiction research.
- Opioid withdrawal cycles may influence subsequent drug-seeking behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the conditioned reinforcing properties of etonitazene in rats with differing morphine administration histories.
- To determine if daily cycles of morphine abstinence and suppression generate latent conditioned reinforcement.
- To explore the transfer of conditioned reinforcement from morphine to etonitazene.
Main Methods:
- Rats were assigned to saline infusion, daily morphine injection, or continuous morphine infusion groups.
- Behavioral baselines for water reinforcement were established using lever pressing.
- Etonitazene was substituted for water, and consumption was measured over 20 weeks in relapse tests.
Main Results:
- The daily morphine injection group consumed significantly more etonitazene than the continuous infusion group.
- No significant differences in water consumption were observed between groups.
- These findings suggest the development of conditioned reinforcing properties specific to the injection regimen.
Conclusions:
- Daily cycles of morphine abstinence and suppression, experienced only by the injection group, likely generated conditioned reinforcing properties.
- These conditioned properties, linked to internal sensations of morphine, were transferred to etonitazene.
- The study provides evidence for interoceptive conditioning in opioid reinforcement and relapse.
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