Abstract
Rationale
Impaired ability to refrain from initiating cocaine-taking is a central feature of cocaine dependence and an important target for behavioral and pharmacological interventions. One potential trigger of cocaine-taking is exposure to cocaine (i.e. priming).
Objective
Here, we report a model of human cocaine self-administration that quantifies the ability to refrain from initiating cocaine self-administration during abstinence and after cocaine administration.
Methods
In a double-blind, within-subject, residential laboratory study, we assessed cocaine-taking as a function of the choice dose, priming dose, and the magnitude of alternative reinforcement. During each of 3 weeks, cocaine-dependent volunteers participated in one sample and three choice sessions. During sample sessions, participants were administered the dose of cocaine (0, 15 or 30 mg/70 kg IV) available during subsequent choice sessions that week. During choice sessions, participants chose between cocaine and decreasing amounts of money ($19, $16, $13, $10, $7, $4, $1). A priming dose of cocaine (0, 15 or 30 mg/70 kg) was administered 30 min prior to the first choice trial during each of three choice sessions each week.
Results
Cocaine-taking was moderate, dose-dependent, and negatively related to the monetary alternative. An active priming injection of cocaine compared to placebo shifted choice to cocaine over money earlier in the session.
Conclusions
A descending schedule of alternative reinforcement provided a measure of cocaine-taking during abstinence that was sensitive to cocaine choice dose, magnitude of alternative reinforcement, and priming. This procedure may be a useful tool for assessing potential therapies for cocaine dependence.
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Acknowledgements
This research was supported by grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse R01 DA10753, R01 DA05196, T32 DA07209, and K05 DA00050. The authors thank the staff at BPRU, especially Jessica Meyer, Melissa Blank, Chad Sawyer, Heather Cronin, Roxanna Kelly, Tim Mudric, Paul Nuzzo and John Yingling.
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Donny, E.C., Bigelow, G.E. & Walsh, S.L. Assessing the initiation of cocaine self-administration in humans during abstinence: effects of dose, alternative reinforcement, and priming. Psychopharmacology 172, 316–323 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-003-1655-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-003-1655-z