Gamma-vinyl GABA (GVG) blocks expression of the conditioned place preference response to heroin in rats.
We examined the effect of gamma-vinyl GABA (GVG) on the expression of the conditioned place preference response to intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered heroin in rats. Heroin, but not vehicle, produced a significant conditioned place preference response. Pretreatment of animals with 300 mg/kg of GVG significantly attenuated the expression of the heroin-induced conditioned place preference response. These results are the first to suggest that systemic GVG may provide an effective alternative to methadone maintenance in the treatment of heroin addiction, since it is without abuse potential and can be used for treatment outside an institutional setting.
Paul
M
M
Eon Labs Manufacturing Inc., Laurelton, New York 11413, USA.
Dewey
S L
SL
Gardner
E L
EL
Brodie
J D
JD
Ashby
C R
CR
D000818:Animals; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003932:Heroin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D009294:Narcotics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D020888:Vigabatrin / Q000494:pharmacology*
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D009294:Narcotics; D003932:Heroin; D020888:Vigabatrin