title: Dependence potential of propofol: behavioral pharmacology in rodents.
abstract: Propofol is an anesthetic commonly used to provide sedation or to induce and maintain an anesthetic stated. However, there are reports which indicate propofol may cause psychological dependence or be abused. In the present study, we used various behavioral tests including climbing test, jumping test, conditioned place preference, and self-administration test to assess the dependence potential and abuse liability of propofol compared to a positive control (methamphetamine) or a negative control (saline or intralipid). Among the tests, the conditioned place preference test was conducted with a biased method, and the selfadministration test was performed under a fixed ratio (FR) 1 schedule, 1 h per session. No difference was found in the climbing test and jumping test, but propofol (30 mg/kg, i.p.) increased the rewarding effect in the conditioned place preference test, and it showed a positive reinforcing effect compared to the vehicle. These results indicate that propofol tends to show psychological dependence rather than physical dependence, and it seems not to be related with dopaminergic system.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation.
authors.forename: Hye Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Cha
authors.forename: Ji-Hun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Cha
authors.forename: Hea-Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Eun-Yong
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Kyoung-Jin
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Jun Yeon
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ho-Sang
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Hye-Soo
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hye-Joo
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Eun Jung
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Animal behavioral test; Physical dependence; Propofol; Psychological dependence