Nicotine attenuates relapse to methamphetamine-seeking behavior (craving) in rats.
This study clarifies the modulating action of the nicotinic cholinergic system on reinstatement of methamphetamine (MAP)-seeking behavior (craving) using an intravenous, self-administration paradigm in rats. After self-administration of MAP for 10 days, replacing MAP with saline solution (MAP withdrawal) gradually decreased lever-pressing responses. On the sixth day of MAP withdrawal, MAP (1.0 mg/kg, i.p.)-priming injection significantly increased lever-pressing responses (reinstatement of MAP-seeking behavior). This MAP-seeking behavior was attenuated by repeated nicotine administration for 5 days during MAP withdrawal, and this attenuating effect was antagonized by the nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine. These results suggest that the appearance of MAP-seeking behavior may be due to inactivation of the nicotinic cholinergic neuron. Furthermore, it is suggested that nicotinic activating agents may be useful in preventing relapse to drug abuse.
Hiranita
Takato
T
Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
Anggadiredja
Kusnandar
K
Fujisaki
Chie
C
Watanabe
Shigenori
S
Yamamoto
Tsuneyuki
T
D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000818:Animals; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine; D009538:Nicotine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D055502:Secondary Prevention
D008694:Methamphetamine; D009538:Nicotine