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Etorphine and shuttle-box self-stimulation in the rat
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
|November 1, 1977
Summary
Moderate doses of etorphine, a narcotic analgesic, enhanced brain stimulation reward in rats. This effect persisted without tolerance development over five days, suggesting a useful model for studying drug reinforcement.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Electrical brain stimulation (EBS) is a powerful tool for studying reward pathways.
- Narcotic analgesics, such as etorphine, interact with the brain's reward system.
- Understanding the effects of these drugs on reward is crucial for addiction research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of etorphine on brain stimulation reward in rats.
- To determine if tolerance develops to the reward-enhancing effects of etorphine.
- To evaluate a shuttle-box paradigm for studying the reinforcing properties of narcotic drugs.
Main Methods:
- Rats were trained to operate a shuttle-box to self-administer rewarding electrical brain stimulation.
- Moderate doses of etorphine were administered to the rats.
- Mean ON and OFF times for brain stimulation were recorded over five consecutive days.
Main Results:
- Etorphine administration significantly increased the mean ON times, indicating enhanced reward.
- Etorphine had minimal impact on the mean OFF times.
- No significant tolerance to the reward-enhancing effects of etorphine was observed over the five-day period.
Conclusions:
- Etorphine acts as a reward enhancer in rats, increasing self-stimulation.
- The shuttle-box paradigm effectively demonstrates the reinforcing properties of etorphine.
- This model is valuable for further research into the neurobiology of narcotic drug reinforcement and addiction.