Modafinil effects on reinstatement of methamphetamine seeking in a rat model of relapse.
BACKGROUND
Modafinil (Provigil) is a wake-promoting drug characterized by cognitive enhancing abilities. Recent clinical data have supported the use of modafinil for treatment of chronic psychostimulant addiction and relapse prevention.


METHODS
We used an intravenous methamphetamine (meth) self-administration procedure to assess the dose-dependent effects of modafinil on reinstatement following abstinence and after extinction on conditioned-cue and meth-primed reinstatement of meth seeking.


RESULTS
Modafinil attenuated active lever responding in multiple reinstatement conditions-context-induced, conditioned cue, and meth prime. The most pronounced and consistent effect was on meth-primed reinstatement, and modafinil did not reinstate meth seeking when tested alone.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings support clinical findings in humans that modafinil may be an effective therapeutic agent for the prevention of relapse in abstinent meth users.
Reichel
Carmela M
CM
Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
See
Ronald E
RE
D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D000818:Animals; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000077408:Modafinil; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012646:Self Administration
D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D008694:Methamphetamine; D000077408:Modafinil