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Individual differences in the effects of environmental stimuli on cocaine choice in socially housed male cynomolgus monkeys

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Abstract

Rationale

Studies in laboratory animals have demonstrated an influence of environmentally derived stress and enrichment on the reinforcing effects of stimulants.

Objective

To characterize the effects of acute exposure to ethologically valid environmental stimuli on the reinforcing strength of cocaine relative to food in socially housed monkeys.

Materials and methods

Choice between cocaine and food was assessed in subsets of 16 socially housed (4/pen) male cynomolgus monkeys immediately after the following manipulations: (1) treats placed in home cage, (2) a 10-min exposure to a rubber snake, or (3) 3 to 7 days of living in a larger environment without cage mates.

Results

Placing treats in the home cage shifted the cocaine dose–response curve to the left in five monkeys tested and to the right in 4 of 12 animals. The rubber snake significantly shifted the cocaine choice curve to the left in dominant monkeys. Exposure to an enlarged environment decreased cocaine choice in 9 of 15 monkeys; this effect was transient and not related to social rank. Repeated testing did not affect cocaine choice.

Conclusions

Brief exposure to environmental events hypothesized to be stressors or enrichment altered cocaine choice, although not all individuals were affected and the effects were transient. Importantly, the data suggest that implementing positive changes in the environment produced effects that are clinically desirable. Understanding the behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms mediating sensitivity to environmental events in socially housed animals will lead to better treatment strategies for drug addiction.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse grant R37 DA10584. The authors report no conflict of interest and would like to acknowledge the technical assistance of Michael Coller, Michelle Icenhower and Nicholas Garrett and the helpful contributions to the experimental design provided by Dr. Jay R. Kaplan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Medical Center Blvd., 546 NRC, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA

    Paul W. Czoty & Michael A. Nader

  2. Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA

    Michael A. Nader

Authors
  1. Paul W. Czoty
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  2. Michael A. Nader
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Correspondence to Michael A. Nader.

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Czoty, P.W., Nader, M.A. Individual differences in the effects of environmental stimuli on cocaine choice in socially housed male cynomolgus monkeys. Psychopharmacology 224, 69–79 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-011-2562-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-011-2562-3

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