Cigarette smoking in rhesus monkeys.

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Science
• Pharmacology
• Primate Research

Background:

• Cigarette smoking behavior is complex and influenced by various factors.
• Animal models are crucial for understanding the mechanisms underlying smoking behavior and its consequences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate models of cigarette smoking behavior in rhesus monkeys.
• To investigate factors influencing the initiation and maintenance of smoking behavior.
• To explore the utility of these models for psychopharmacological and physiological research.

Main Methods:

• Rhesus monkeys were trained to smoke using sweetened liquid reinforcement.
• Two models were developed: 'voluntary smoking' (without reinforcement) and 'schedule-controlled smoking' (with reinforcement schedules).
• Smoking behavior, puff counts, and cigarette consumption were monitored.

Main Results:

• Two monkeys engaged in prolonged voluntary smoking (over 2 years) with high puff counts.
• Low-nicotine and nicotine-free cigarettes reduced smoking behavior.
• Schedule-controlled smoking demonstrated that reinforcement schedules influenced smoke intake.

Conclusions:

• The voluntary smoking model is suitable for studying factors maintaining smoking and psychopharmacological effects.
• The schedule-controlled smoking model can be used to investigate physiological effects and disease relationships.
• These primate models offer valuable tools for smoking research.