Differential roles of 5-HT receptor subtypes in cue and cocaine reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior in rats.

The 5-HT indirect agonist, d-fenfluramine, attenuates cue reinstatement of extinguished cocaine-seeking behavior. To investigate the role of 5-HT receptor subtypes in this effect, we examined whether the attenuation is reversed by either a 5-HT(1A), 5-HT(2A/C), or 5-HT(2C) receptor antagonist. We also examined the effects of the antagonists alone on both cue and cocaine-primed reinstatement. Rats that had been trained to press a lever for cocaine (0.75 mg/kg/0.1 ml, i.v.) paired with light and tone cues underwent daily extinction sessions during which responding had no consequences. We then examined the effects of WAY 100635 (0-1.0 mg/kg, s.c.), ketanserin (0-10.0 mg/kg, i.p.), or SB 242,084 (0-1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) with and without d-fenfluramine (1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) pretreatment on cue reinstatement. Subsequently, we examined the effects of the antagonists on cocaine-primed (7.5 or 15.0 mg/kg, i.p.) reinstatement. The 5-HT(1A) antagonist, WAY 100635, failed to alter cue reinstatement, but attenuated cocaine reinstatement. Conversely, the 5-HT(2A/C) antagonist, ketanserin, attenuated cue reinstatement, but failed to alter cocaine reinstatement. The 5-HT(2C)-selective antagonist, SB 242,084, did not alter cue or cocaine reinstatement, but was the only drug that reversed the d-fenfluramine-induced attenuation of cue reinstatement. The findings suggest that stimulation of 5-HT(1A) receptors plays a critical role in cocaine-primed, but not cue, reinstatement. Furthermore, 5-HT(2A) and 5-HT(2C) receptors may play oppositional roles in cue reinstatement. The SB 242,084 reversal of the d-fenfluramine attenuation suggests that stimulation of 5-HT(2C) receptors inhibits cue reinstatement, whereas the ketanserin-induced attenuation of cue reinstatement suggests that decreased stimulation of 5-HT(2A) receptors inhibits this behavior.     

Effects of serotonin (5-HT)6 receptor ligands on responding for cocaine reward and seeking in rats

The endogenous brain serotonin (5-HT) system is believed to have an important modulatory influence in mediating drug reward and seeking mechanisms. Data from preclinical behavioral studies have provided emerging evidence that 5-HT(6) receptors, among other 5-HT receptors, may play a significant role in the mechanisms of action of psychostimulant addicted drugs. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the selective pharmacological blockade or activation of 5-HT(6) receptors altered the maintenance of cocaine self-administration, reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior following an extinction of cocaine self-administration or cocaine-evoked conditioned place preference in rats. We also evaluated the effects of 5-chloro-N-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-ylphenyl)-3-methyl)-2-benzothiophene-sulfonamide (SB 271046, a 5-HT(6) receptor antagonist) or N-1-(6-chloroimidazo-[2,1-b]-[1,3]thiazole-5-sulfonyl)tryptamine (WAY 181187, a potent 5-HT(6) receptor agonist) on locomotor activity in rats. Our results indicate that SB 271046 (1-10 mg/kg) altered cocaine-maintained self-administration as well as cocaine-evoked reinstatement of cocaine seeking and expression of cocaine place preference in rats.We also demonstrate that pharmacological stimulation of 5-HT(6) receptors by WAY 181187 (3-30 mg/kg) attenuated the expression of cocaine conditioned place preference but not cocaine self-administration and reinstatement of cocaine seeking. WAY 181187 at the highest dose used (30 mg/kg) reduced basal locomotor activity. Despite current results, the precise function and therapeutic relevance of 5-HT(6) receptors need further clarification.     

Contribution of serotonin (5-HT) 5-HT2 receptor subtypes to the discriminative stimulus effects of cocaine in rats

Rationale The serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) 5-HT₂ receptor (5-HT₂R) family is an important regulator of the behavioral responsiveness to cocaine. Objective The present study is an analysis of the role of the 5-HT₂R subtypes (5-HT_2AR, 5-HT_2BR, and 5-HT_2CR) in the discriminative stimulus effects of cocaine. Methods Male Wistar rats were trained to discriminate cocaine (10 mg/kg) from saline in a two-lever, water-reinforced FR 20 task, and we investigated the ability of the 5-HT_2AR antagonist 1(Z)-[2-(dimethylamino)ethoxyimino]-1(2-fluorophenyl)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2(E)-propene (SR 46349B), the 5-HT_2BR antagonist N-(1-methyl-5-indolyl)-N′-(3-methyl-5-isothiazolyl) urea (SB 204741), and the 5-HT_2CR antagonist [(+)-cis -4,5,7a,8,9,10,11,11a-octahydro-7H-10-methylindolo(1,7-bC)(2,6)naphthyridine (SDZ SER-082) to substitute for or to modulate the stimulus effects of cocaine. Results Pretreatment with SR 46349B (0.5–1 mg/kg) resulted in a rightward shift of the cocaine dose–response curve, while SDZ SER-082 (1 mg/kg) shifted the dose–response for cocaine to the left; SB 204741 (1–3 mg/kg) was inactive. Conclusions Our pharmacological analyses of selective antagonists of 5-HT_2AR, 5-HT_2BR, and 5-HT_2CR indicate oppositional influence of 5-HT_2AR and 5-HT_2CR on the stimulus effects of cocaine and exclude a role for the 5-HT_2BR. These data suggest that 5-HT_2AR and 5-HT_2CR may be important in modulating the subjective effects of cocaine in humans.     

Effects of GABA(B) receptor agents on cocaine priming, discrete contextual cue and food induced relapses

In the present study we investigated the effects of the GABA(B) receptor antagonist (2S)-(+)-5,5-dimethyl-2-morpholineacetic acid (SCH 50911), the agonists baclofen and 3-aminopropyl(methyl)phosphinic acid (SKF 97541), and the allosteric positive modulator 3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxy-beta,beta-dimethylbenzenepropanol (CGP 7930) on cocaine seeking behavior. The effects of the above drugs on the reinstatement of responding induced by natural reinforcer (food) were also studied. Male Wistar rats were trained to self-administer either cocaine (0.5 mg/kg/infusion) or food (sweet milk) and responding on the reinforcer-paired lever was extinguished. Reinstatement of responding was induced by a noncontingent presentation of the self-administered reinforcer (10 mg/kg cocaine, i.p.), a discrete contextual cue, or a contingent presentation of food. SCH 50911 (3-10 mg/kg) dose-dependently attenuated responding on the previously cocaine-paired lever during both reinstatement conditions, with slightly greater efficacy at reducing conditioned cue reinstatement. At the same time, it failed to alter reinstatement of food-seeking behavior. Baclofen (1.25-5 mg/kg) and SKF 97541 (0.03-0.3 mg/kg) attenuated cocaine- or food-seeking behavior; the effect of the drug appeared more effective for cocaine-seeking than food-seeking. CGP 7930 (10-30 mg/kg) reduced cocaine seeking without affecting food-induced reinstatement on reward seeking. Our results indicate that tonic activation of GABA(B) receptors is required for cocaine seeking behavior in rats. Moreover, the GABA(B) receptor antagonist SCH 50911 was effective in reducing relapse to cocaine at doses that failed to alter reinstatement of food-seeking behavior (present study), basal locomotor activity, cocaine and food self-administration (Filip et al., submitted for publication), suggesting its selective effects on motivated drug-seeking behavior. The potent inhibitory responses on cocaine seeking behavior were also seen following the GABA(B) receptor agonists or the allosteric positive modulator, however, doses of baclofen and SKF 97541 that inhibited cocaine-seeking were only threefold lower of those that inhibited food-seeking. In addition, the direct GABA(B) receptor agonists and the allosteric positive modulator cause decreases in cocaine or food self-administration (Filip et al., submitted for publication), indicating their nonspecific effects on relapse to drug-seeking and drug-taking behavior. In conclusion, the GABA(B) receptor antagonist SCH 50911 seems to be viable treatment for reducing cocaine craving and preventing relapse, while the GABA(B) receptor allosteric positive modulator CGP 7930 may hold the highest promise for attenuating cue-evoked relapses to cocaine as well as the direct rewarding properties of cocaine.     

Serotonin depletion attenuates cocaine seeking but enhances sucrose seeking and the effects of cocaine priming on reinstatement of cocaine seeking in rats

RATIONALE: Acute serotonin (5-HT) depletion by the tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor, para-chlorophenylalanine, attenuates cocaine seeking in rats. OBJECTIVE: The present study examined the effects of chronic 5-HT depletion on cocaine- and sucrose seeking using the 5-HT-selective neurotoxin 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT). METHODS: Separate groups of rats were trained to lever press for cocaine infusions (0.33 mg/kg/0.1 ml, i.v.) or for sucrose pellets (45 mg Noyes) on a fixed ratio (FR) 1 schedule of reinforcement during daily 2-h sessions. Subsequently, animals received i.c.v. infusions of either vehicle or 5,7-DHT (150 microg/6 microl or 200 microg/20 microl). After a minimum of 10 days post-lesion, cocaine- and sucrose seeking were measured as lever presses in the absence of reinforcement (extinction). Some cocaine-trained animals were also assessed for the re-establishment of self-administration and reinstatement of extinguished cocaine seeking by i.v. cocaine priming injections and response-contingent presentations of cocaine-paired stimuli. RESULTS: 5-HT depletion by the 150 microg/6 microl dose of 5,7-DHT failed to alter cocaine- and sucrose seeking despite producing a 42-77% depletion of 5-HT in limbic terminal regions. The 200 microg/20 microl dose of 5,7-DHT attenuated cocaine seeking but enhanced sucrose seeking during extinction and produced a 55-85% depletion of 5-HT. In addition, cocaine-paired cues and cocaine priming reinstated cocaine-seeking behavior, and responding was enhanced in 5,7-DHT-treated animals relative to vehicle-treated controls at the 1 mg/kg/0.1 ml priming dose. However, re-establishment of cocaine self-administration was not altered by 5,7-DHT. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that 5-HT depletion may attenuate cocaine seeking but may enhance sucrose seeking when animals are tested during extinction. Furthermore, 5-HT depletion may enhance cocaine seeking produced by cocaine itself. Together these findings suggest that 5-HT depletion may have opposite effects on incentive motivation for cocaine during abstinence versus relapse.     

Effects of the 5-HT2C receptor agonist Ro60-0175 and the 5-HT2A receptor antagonist M100907 on nicotine self-administration and reinstatement

The reinforcing effects of nicotine are mediated in part by brain dopamine systems. Serotonin, acting via 5-HT(2A) and 5-HT(2C) receptors, modulates dopamine function. In these experiments we examined the effects of the 5-HT(2C) receptor agonist Ro60-0175 and the 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonist (M100907, volinanserin) on nicotine self-administration and reinstatement of nicotine-seeking. Male Long-Evans rats self-administered nicotine (0.03 mg/kg/infusion, IV) on either a FR5 or a progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement. Ro60-0175 reduced responding for nicotine on both schedules. While Ro60-0175 also reduced responding for food reinforcement, response rates under drug treatment were several-fold higher than in animals responding for nicotine. M100907 did not alter responding for nicotine, or food, on either schedule. In tests of reinstatement of nicotine-seeking, rats were first trained to lever press for IV infusions of nicotine; each infusion was also accompanied by a compound cue consisting of a light and tone. This response was then extinguished over multiple sessions. Injecting rats with a nicotine prime (0.15 mg/kg) reinstated responding; reinstatement was also observed when responses were accompanied by the nicotine associated cue. Ro60-0175 attenuated reinstatement of responding induced by nicotine and by the cue. The effects of Ro60-0175 on both forms of reinstatement were blocked by the 5-HT(2C) receptor antagonist SB242084. M100907 also reduced reinstatement induced by either the nicotine prime or by the nicotine associated cue. The results indicate that 5-HT(2C) and 5-HT(2A) receptors may be potential targets for therapies to treat some aspects of nicotine dependence.     

Administration of the D2 dopamine receptor antagonist sulpiride into the shell, but not the core, of the nucleus accumbens attenuates cocaine priming-induced reinstatement of drug seeking.

Enhanced dopamine transmission in the nucleus accumbens plays an important role in cocaine priming-induced reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior. However, the contribution of each dopamine receptor subtype to this behavior remains unclear. The present experiments were designed to assess the role of D2-like dopamine receptors in the nucleus accumbens core and shell subregions in cocaine priming-induced reinstatement of drug seeking. Rats were trained to lever press for cocaine using a fixed ratio (FR) 5 schedule of reinforcement. After approximately 18 days of cocaine self-administration, the animals underwent an extinction phase during which cocaine was replaced with saline. Daily extinction sessions were conducted until responding was less than 10% of the response rate maintained by cocaine self-administration. Following the extinction phase, priming-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior was assessed. A range of doses of antagonists selective for D2- (sulpiride, 0.2 or 2.0 microg), D3- (U99194A, 3.9 or 7.8 microg), or D4- (L-750,667, 5.5 or 11 microg) dopamine receptors were microinjected into either the nucleus accumbens core, shell or lateral septum prior to a priming injection of cocaine (10 mg/kg, i.p.). Following administration into the shell, but not core or lateral septum, sulpiride dose-dependently attenuated reinstatement induced by a cocaine priming injection. In contrast, U99194A and L-750,667 failed to influence cocaine seeking at any of the doses tested in either accumbal subregion. Collectively, these findings indicate that activation of D2 dopamine receptors mediates cocaine priming-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking in a region-specific manner within the nucleus accumbens.     

Stimulation of 5-HT2C receptors attenuates cue and cocaine-primed reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior in rats

The extinction/reinstatement model has been used in this study to examine the role of 5-HT2C receptors in cocaine-seeking behavior elicited by cocaine-associated cues and cocaine-priming injections. Rats that had been trained to press a lever for cocaine (0.75 mg/kg/0.1 ml, intravenously) paired with light and tone cues underwent daily extinction sessions, during which responding had no consequences. After responding diminished, rats were tested for reinstatement of responding by either response-contingent presentations of the cues or a cocaine-priming injection (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal, i.p.), with and without pretreatment with the 5-HT2C/2B receptor agonist, MK 212 (0.0-1.0 mg/kg, i.p.). MK 212 attenuated cue and cocaine-primed reinstatement, as well as spontaneous and cocaine-induced locomotion at all doses tested. These effects were reversed by coadministration of the 5-HT2C-selective receptor antagonist, SB 242 084 (3.0 mg/kg, i.p.), suggesting they are 5-HT2C receptor-mediated. Although we cannot rule out the possibility that motor impairment might have been involved in the MK 212 effects on cocaine-seeking behavior, some aspects of the data favor the explanation that MK 212 decreases the motivational effects of cocaine and cocaine cues. The latter interpretation is consistent with a growing body of literature suggesting that 5-HT2C receptors play a role in motivated behaviors in general.     

The 5-HT2C receptor agonist Ro60-0175 reduces cocaine self-administration and reinstatement induced by the stressor yohimbine, and contextual cues.

Previously, we showed that the 5-HT2C receptor agonist Ro60-0175 reduces cocaine self-administration, and the ability of cocaine to reinstate responding after extinction of drug-seeking behavior. The present experiments extended these findings further by determining whether the effects of Ro60-0175 on self-administration were sustained with repeated treatment, and whether Ro60-0175 altered reinstatement induced by the pharmacological stressor yohimbine, or by the context in which self-administration occurred. In Experiment 1, Ro60-0175 (1 mg/kg, s.c.) reduced cocaine (0.25 mg/infusion) self-administration maintained by a progressive ratio schedule. This reduction was sustained over eight daily injections. In Experiment 2, rats self-administered cocaine in daily 2 h sessions for 15 days on a FR1 schedule. Following extinction, yohimbine (1 mg/kg, i.p.) reinstated responding, and this effect was reduced dose dependently by Ro60-0175 (0.3-3 mg/kg, s.c.). In Experiment 3, rats were trained to respond for cocaine on a FR1 schedule in a distinct environmental context (A); responding was then extinguished in a different context (B). Reinstatement tests occurred in either context A or B. Responding was reinstated only when rats were tested in the original self-administration context (A). This reinstatement was reduced dose dependently by Ro60-0175. All effects of Ro60-0175 were blocked by the 5-HT2C receptor antagonist SB242084. Thus, Ro60-0175, acting via 5-HT2C receptors, reduces cocaine self-administration and cocaine-seeking triggered by a stressor and by drug-associated cues. The effects of Ro60-0175 do not exhibit tolerance within the 8-day test period. These results indicate that selective 5-HT2C receptor agonists may be a useful pharmacological strategy for treatment of drug abuse.     

Reinstatement of cocaine seeking in 129X1/SvJ mice: effects of cocaine priming,cocaine cues and food deprivation

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The mechanisms underlying relapse to cocaine seeking induced by exposure to priming cocaine injections, cues associated with cocaine self-administration and environmental stressors have been studied in rats. Here we describe a reinstatement method for studying relapse to cocaine seeking in mice, a suitable species for studying the effect of genetic manipulations such as gene knockout or gene over-expression on compulsive drug use.METHODS: Male mice of the 129X1/SvJ strain were trained for 14-16 days to self-administer cocaine (0.75 mg/kg/infusion; 4 h/day; fixed-ratio-1 schedule of reinforcement; infusions were paired with a light-tone compound cue). Next, the lever-pressing behavior was extinguished by removing the cocaine syringes in the presence (Exps. 1 and 3) or absence (Exp. 2) of the cocaine cue. Subsequently, tests for reinstatement were conducted after exposure to priming injections of cocaine (0, 1.5, 3.0 and 6.0 mg/kg, IV; Exp. 1), response-contingent presentations of the cocaine-associated cue (Exp. 2), or food deprivation stress (1 and 22 h; Exp. 3).RESULTS: The effect of cocaine priming on reinstatement was modest and was only observed at the highest dose tested. On the other hand, reinstatement of cocaine seeking was observed following exposure to the cocaine-associated cue and food deprivation stress.CONCLUSIONS: The present data suggest that factors contributing to relapse to drugs can be studied in the reinstatement model using the common 129X1/SvJ mouse inbred strain.     

Reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior in rats is attenuated following repeated treatment with the opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone.

In the present study we show that the endogenous opioid systems play a modulating role in cocaine-induced reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior in rats. We investigated the effect of blockade of opioid receptors on reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior by cocaine priming. Drug-naive rats were allowed to initiate self-administration behavior of cocaine (30 and 60 mug per infusion, i.v.) for 5 consecutive daily sessions, and after a 5-day extinction period during which the rats did not receive cocaine, a test for cocaine-induced (1 mg/kg, i.v.) reinstatement followed. The effect of cocaine priming was tested on days 1, 3, and 5 after extinction, while on days 2 and 4 the animals received saline priming. Before each daily reinstatement test, different groups of animals received an injection with the opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone (3 mg/kg, s.c.) or with placebo. We observed that cocaine readily reinstated extinguished responding in the rats, and that this reinstatement responding did not change over the consecutive reinstatement tests. Pretreatment with naltrexone progressively attenuates the cocaine-induced reinstatement, with a significant reduction on days 3 and 5 of reinstatement testing. Discriminative lever-pressing (active versus inactive lever) during reinstatement phase, however, remains present in animals treated with naltrexone. This implies that repeated opioid receptor blockade progressively attenuates cocaine-induced drug-seeking behavior in abstained animals, but this cannot simply be attributed to extinction of cocaine-seeking behavior.     

Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists block stress-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking.

The alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists, clonidine, lofexidine and guanabenz, blocked stress- but not cocaine-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking at doses that suppressed footshock-induced release of noradrenaline in prefrontal cortex and amygdala. Rats were trained to self-administer cocaine (0.5 mg/kg/infusion, i.v; 10-12 days) and, after a drug-free period (7-13 days), were returned to the self-administration chambers for daily extinction and reinstatement test sessions. Both intermittent footshock (15 min, 0.6 mA) and cocaine priming (20 mg/kg, i.p.) reinstated extinguished drug seeking. Pretreatment with either clonidine (20, or 40 microg/kg, i.p.) or lofexidine (50, 100, 150, or 200 microg/kg, i.p.) attenuated footshock- but not cocaine-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking. Guanabenz (640 microg/kg, i.p.), an alpha-2 agonist with low affinity for imidazoline type-1 receptors, also attenuated footshock- but not cocaine-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking. The results point to an important role for NE systems in the effects of footshock on relapse to cocaine seeking.     

GR38032F, a serotonin 5-HT3 antagonist, fails to alter cocaine self-administration in rats.

Recent data have supported a role for serotonin (5-HT) in the self-administration of cocaine by laboratory rats. More specifically, it has been suggested that 5-HT3 receptor antagonists may be useful in the treatment of drug abuse. To assess this possibility, we compared the effects of the 5-HT3 antagonist, GR38032F, with the dopamine D2 receptor blocker, haloperidol, on the intravenous self-administration of cocaine (0.5 mg/kg/infusion) in rats. The serotonin antagonist (0.01, 0.1 or 1.0 mg/kg, IP) failed to alter self-administration (0.5 mg/kg/infusion). In contrast, haloperidol (0.125 mg/kg, IP) increased responding for cocaine (0.5 mg/kg/infusion), and shifted the dose-response curve for cocaine self-administration to the right. These data fail to support a role for the serotonin 5-HT3 receptor system in the reinforcing properties of this psychostimulant. Rather, the 5-HT1 or 5-HT2 receptors may be the critical subtype.     

Stimulation of 5-HT1B receptors decreases cocaine- and sucrose-seeking behavior

Serotonin systems have been implicated in incentive motivation for cocaine, yet little is known about the role of 5-HT(1B) receptors in these processes. We used the extinction/reinstatement model to examine the effects of the 5-HT(1B/1A) receptor agonist, RU24969, on reinstatement of extinguished cocaine-seeking behavior. Rats trained to self-administer cocaine subsequently underwent extinction. They were then tested twice for cue and cocaine-primed reinstatement of extinguished cocaine-seeking behavior, receiving saline pretreatment 1 day and their assigned dose of RU24969 (0.3, 1.0, 3.0 mg/kg) the other day. Rats were later trained on a schedule of sucrose reinforcement in novel chambers and then tested for effects of RU24969 on cue reinstatement of sucrose-seeking behavior and locomotion. RU24969 decreased cue and cocaine reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior and cue reinstatement of sucrose-seeking behavior. Locomotion was increased only at the highest RU24969 dose (3 mg/kg). A subsequent experiment demonstrated that the effects of RU24969 (1 mg/kg) on extinguished cocaine-seeking behavior were reversed by the 5-HT(1B) antagonist GR127935 (3 mg/kg). These findings suggest that the effects of RU24969 on cue and cocaine reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior are 5-HT(1B) receptor-mediated. Overall, the results suggest that stimulation of 5-HT(1B) receptors may produce a general decrease in motivation.     

Administration of the D1-like dopamine receptor antagonist SCH-23390 into the medial nucleus accumbens shell attenuates cocaine priming-induced reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior in rats

Rationale. A growing literature indicates that increased dopamine transmission in the nucleus accumbens contributes to priming-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior. Objectives. The present experiments were designed to assess the role of D₁-like dopamine receptors in the nucleus accumbens core and shell subregions in cocaine priming-induced reinstatement of drug seeking. Methods. Rats were trained to lever press for cocaine using a fixed ratio (FR) 5 schedule of reinforcement. Drug-seeking was measured by active lever presses during daily 2-h sessions. After approximately 30 days of cocaine self-administration, the animals underwent an extinction phase during which cocaine was replaced with saline. Daily extinction sessions were conducted until responding was consistently less than 10% of the response rate maintained by cocaine self-administration. After the extinction phase, priming-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior was assessed. Results. Cocaine dose-dependently reinstated cocaine seeking, with robust drug seeking at 10 mg/kg cocaine. Administration of the D₁-like dopamine receptor antagonist, SCH-23390 (0.1–1.0 μg), directly into the medial nucleus accumbens shell dose-dependently attenuated drug seeking induced by 10 mg/kg cocaine. Microinjection of 1.0 μg SCH-23390 into either the nucleus accumbens core or lateral septum had no influence on cocaine-seeking behavior. Conclusions. These results indicate that stimulation of D₁-like dopamine receptors in the medial nucleus accumbens shell contributes to drug-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior.     

Repeated orexin 1 receptor antagonism effects on cocaine seeking in rats

The orexin/hypocretin system has been implicated in multiple phases of drug addiction. Acute orexin receptor blockade with the orexin-1 receptor (OX1R) antagonist, SB-334867, has been found to reduce cocaine seeking after cocaine self-administration. As repeated drug dosing can have differential effects and is more clinically relevant than acute dosing, in the current study we examined the effects of repeated SB-334867 on cocaine self-administration, extinction, and reinstatement to cocaine seeking in Sprague–Dawley rats. We found that repeated SB-334867 (10 mg/kg/day) had no effect on established cocaine self-administration. Repeated SB-334867 (both 10 and 20 mg/kg) attenuated cocaine seeking during extinction; however, this effect was only observed when animals had no prior experience with SB-334867 and when SB-334867 was administered prior to, but not after, daily extinction sessions. Notably, daily treatment with SB-334867 (10 mg/kg) during extinction increased subsequent cue-induced reinstatement, whereas repeated SB-334867 (20 mg/kg) administration during extinction enabled acute SB-334867 to reduce cue-induced reinstatement. Repeated SB-334867 treatment (10 or 20 mg/kg) failed to affect reinstatement induced by priming injections of cocaine (10 mg/kg). These results show that repeated inhibition of OX1R-mediated signaling exerts a lasting and specific role in mediating environmentally activated cocaine seeking.     

Differential effects of the 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonist M100907 and the 5-HT(2C) receptor antagonist SB242084 on cocaine-induced locomotor activity, cocaine self-administration and cocaine-induced reinstatement of responding.

These studies investigated the effects of antagonists selective for the 5-HT(2A), 5-HT(2B), or 5-HT(2C) receptor subtypes on behaviors elicited or maintained by cocaine. The selective 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonist M100907 (0.5 mg/kg, SC) attenuated the locomotor activity elicited by 10 mg/kg cocaine, whereas the selective 5-HT(2C) receptor antagonist SB242084 (0.5 mg/kg IP) potentiated the locomotor stimulant effect of 10 mg/kg cocaine. The selective 5-HT(2B) antagonist SB215505 (3 mg/kg PO) did not alter cocaine-induced locomotor activity. In a second series of experiments, the effects of M100907 and SB242084 were examined in rats self-administering cocaine intravenously according to a progressive ratio schedule. M100907 (0.5-2 mg/kg) did not alter responding for cocaine at an infusion dose of 0.25 mg. Similarly M100907 (0.5 mg/kg) failed to alter responding for cocaine at infusion doses of 0.0625, 0.125 and 0.25 mg. SB242084 (0.5-1 mg/kg) increased responding for cocaine with the infusion dose set at 0.125 mg. Examination of the effects of SB242084 (0.5 mg/kg) on the cocaine dose response curve revealed significant increases in responding at the lowest doses of 0.0625 and 0.125 but not 0.25 mg. After completion of the self-administration experiments responding was extinguished. M100907 (0.5 mg/kg) attenuated the ability of experimenter administered cocaine (10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg) to reinstate lever pressing, whereas the priming effect of cocaine (10 mg/kg) was enhanced by SB242084. These results indicate distinct, and in some cases opposite, effects of a 5-HT(2A) compared with a 5-HT(2C) receptor antagonist on various cocaine-mediated behavioral effects.     

Effects of fluoxetine and d-fenfluramine on cocaine-seeking behavior in rats

Rationale. Serotonin (5-HT) systems may play a role in modulating cocaine-seeking behavior. Objectives. The present study examined the effects of acute administration of the 5-HT reuptake inhibitor (SRI) fluoxetine, and the SRI/releaser d-fenfluramine, on reinstatement of extinguished cocaine-seeking behavior elicited by either response-contingent presentations of cocaine-paired cues or cocaine priming. Methods. Separate groups of rats that had been trained to press a lever for a cocaine reinforcer (0.75 mg/kg per 0.1 ml, IV) with a light/tone stimulus complex paired with each infusion underwent daily extinction sessions during which responding had no scheduled consequences (i.e. neither cocaine nor the stimulus complex was available). Subsequently, the effects of fluoxetine (0–10.0 mg/kg, IP) on extinction and cue reinstatement of extinguished cocaine-seeking behavior were examined, as well as the effects of d-fenfluramine (0–3.0 mg/kg, IP) on cue reinstatement. Additionally, dose-dependent effects of fluoxetine (0–10.0 mg/kg, IP) and d-fenfluramine (0–1.0 mg/kg, IP) on cocaine-primed (0–15.0 mg/kg, IP) reinstatement of extinguished cocaine-seeking behavior were examined. Results. Fluoxetine dose-dependently attenuated cocaine-seeking behavior during extinction. Both fluoxetine and d-fenfluramine dose-dependently attenuated cue-reinstated cocaine-seeking behavior. In contrast, neither drug reliably altered cocaine-seeking behavior reinstated by cocaine priming. Conclusions. These findings suggest that 5-HT indirect agonists effectively attenuate cocaine-seeking behavior elicited by cocaine-associated stimuli, but are much less effective in attenuating cocaine-seeking behavior elicited by cocaine priming.     

Effects of serotonin 5-HT1B receptor ligands on the cocaine- and food-maintained self-administration in rats

In order to substantiate the concept that cocaine behavioral effects may be influenced by serotonin (5-HT)1B receptors, male Wistar rats were trained to self-administer cocaine intravenously (0.5 mg/kg/injection), and were systemically pretreated with the selective 5-HT1B receptor antagonist N-[3-[3-(dimethylamine)ethoxy]-4-methoxyphenyl]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4-carboxamide hydrochloride (SB 216641), or with the agonist 5-propoxy-3(1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-4-pyridinyl)-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridine hydrochloride (CP 94253) before test session during the maintenance phase. The effects of the 5-HT1B receptor ligands on a control reinforcer (food)-induced self-administration and on basal locomotor activity were also assessed. SB 216641 (2.5-7.5 mg/kg) was inactive in altering the cocaine (0.5 mg/kg/injection)-maintained responding and at the highest dose (7.5 mg/kg) it did not alter the self-administration of a cocaine dose on the descending limb of the cocaine (0.125-0.5 mg/kg/injection) dose-effect function. On the other hand, CP 94253 (2.5-7.5 mg/kg) attenuated the cocaine (0.5 mg/kg/injection)-maintained responding with a significant inhibitory effect seen at 7.5 mg/kg, while its doses of 2.5-5 mg/kg potently reduced the self-administration of cocaine (0.125-0.25 mg/kg/injection), in a manner similar to the effect produced by increasing the unit dose of cocaine. The inhibitory effects of CP 94253 (5 mg/kg) on the cocaine (0.125 or 0.25 mg/kg/injection) self-administration were blocked by SB 216641 (7.5 mg/kg). Food reinforcing potential was not altered when either SB 216641 or CP 94253 was given in a dose range between 2.5-7.5 mg/kg. Moreover, none of the 5-HT1B receptor ligands altered horizontal locomotor activity while CP 9253 significantly reduced vertical activity. Our present findings extend previous observations that tonic activation of 5-HT1B receptors is not required for cocaine reinforcement while pharmacological stimulation of 5-HT1B receptors enhances such a property of the psychostimulant. Furthermore, we demonstrated that 5-HT1B receptor agonist-induced enhancement of cocaine reward was independent of an alteration in natural reinforcement.     

Diverse effects of GABA-mimetic drugs on cocaine-evoked self-administration and discriminative stimulus effects in rats

Rationale Recent data indicate that γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a modulator of behavioral responses to cocaine. Objective The efficacy of gabapentin (a cyclic GABA analogue), tiagabine (a GABA reuptake inhibitor), or vigabatrin (an inhibitor of GABA transaminase and reuptake) to alter cocaine-seeking behavior and discriminative effects was examined in rats. Materials and methods Rats were trained to press a lever for cocaine (0.5 mg/kg per infusion) paired with a cue (light + tone) using a fixed ratio (FR) 5 schedule of reinforcement. After extinction, the cocaine-seeking behavior was reinstated by cocaine priming (10 mg/kg). Another group of rats was trained to discriminate cocaine (10 mg/kg) from saline in a two-lever FR 20 task. Results Vigabatrin (150–250 mg/kg) decreased cocaine-maintained responding, whereas tiagabine (10 mg/kg) significantly reduced responses on the “active” lever. Vigabatrin (150–250 mg/kg) significantly decreased responding to the cocaine-priming dose and a nonsignificant attenuation of cocaine-induced reinstatement was seen after tiagabine (5–10 mg/kg). Gabapentin (10–30 mg/kg) failed to alter maintenance of cocaine self-administration or drug-induced reinstatement. Pretreatment with either gabapentin, tiagabine, or vigabatrin resulted in neither reinstatement of cocaine seeking nor alterations in cocaine discrimination. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that vigabatrin (only at the 150 mg/kg dose) exerted inhibitory actions on cocaine-maintained responding and attenuated the reinstatement of extinguishing responding more effectively than gabapentin or tiagabine and with less evidence of motor impairment than the latter drugs. Present findings do not support a role for gabapentin or tiagabine for the possible treatment of cocaine relapse, whereas albeit limited effects of vigabatrin may be seen. This research was supported by the grant no. 033/P05/2001 from the Ministry of Education and Science (Warsaw, Poland) and by the Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences (Kraków, Poland).