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A Procedure for Studying the Footshock-Induced Reinstatement of Cocaine Seeking in Laboratory Rats
Published on: January 6, 2011
Reinstatement of extinguished cocaine-taking behavior by cocaine and caffeine
C M Worley1, A Valadez, S Schenk
1Texas A&M University, Department of Psychology, College Station 77843.
Abstract:
Interactions between caffeine and cocaine have been demonstrated in a number of behavioral paradigms. The present study was undertaken in an attempt to determine whether caffeine could reinstate extinguished cocaine-taking behavior in rats. Experienced self-administering rats were first put through extinction training. The rats were then given an injection of either saline, cocaine (5.0, 10.0, or 20.0 mg/kg), or caffeine (5.0, 10.0, 20.0, 40.0 mg/kg). Both cocaine and caffeine induced a dose-dependent increase in the number of responses made on the previously cocaine-associated lever. These results confirm findings that the originally self-administered drug can serve as a prime to reinstate drug-taking behavior, and that nondopaminergic agonists can also provide an effective prime to reinstate responding. Potential mechanisms for these effects are discussed.
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