Progesterone attenuates cocaine-induced responses.
In this review, we summarize literature focused on how progesterone alters cocaine-induced psychomotor, reinforcement, and physiological responses. Clinical studies suggest that progesterone attenuates the subjective effects of cocaine. Similarly, preclinical studies have demonstrated that cocaine-induced reward and psychomotor responses are attenuated after progesterone administration. In rats progesterone also reduces the reinforcement effects of cocaine attenuates acquisition, escalation, reinstatement of cocaine self-administration, and cocaine-seeking behaviors. Progesterone also counteracts the facilitatory effects of estrogen on cocaine self-administration and psychomotor activation. These findings suggest that progesterone has a potential in clinical applications as a treatment for cocaine addiction. Constantly changing progesterone serum levels in female humans and rats affect the female's reinforcement responses to cocaine and may in part contribute to the known sex differences in cocaine responses.
Quinones-Jenab
Vanya
V
Department of Psychology, Hunter College and Biopsychology and Behavioral Neuroscience PhD Subprogram, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, 695 Park Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA. vanya.quinones@hunter.cuny.edu
Jenab
Shirzad
S
D000818:Animals; D003042:Cocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D011374:Progesterone; D003042:Cocaine