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Sensitization and tolerance in psychostimulant self-administration
1Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843, USA.
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
|July 1, 1997
Summary
Stimulant preexposure can either increase or decrease cocaine's reinforcing effects. This review highlights that both sensitization and tolerance occur, influencing compulsive drug-taking behaviors like cocaine self-administration and relapse.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Stimulant preexposure effects on drug reinforcement are complex and condition-dependent.
- Previous research shows both sensitization and tolerance to stimulants like cocaine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on stimulant preexposure's impact on drug self-administration.
- To clarify methodological and interpretative issues in understanding these effects.
- To discuss the roles of sensitization and tolerance in compulsive drug-taking.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on stimulant preexposure and self-administration.
- Analysis of methodological factors influencing observed effects.
- Synthesis of findings on sensitization and tolerance dynamics.
Main Results:
- Stimulant preexposure can lead to sensitization or tolerance, depending on conditions.
- Sensitization is observed during the development of self-administration.
- Tolerance emerges in experienced rats receiving high stimulant doses.
Conclusions:
- Both sensitization and tolerance are critical outcomes of stimulant preexposure.
- These opposing effects differentially contribute to cocaine reinforcement, self-administration maintenance, and relapse.
- Understanding temporal dissociation is key to addressing compulsive drug use.