Growing evidence suggests that sex differences in cocaine reward responses are regulated by endogenous gonadal hormones. However, few studies have addressed the role of testosterone on cocaine reward and psychomotor activation. This study aimed to determine whether testosterone influences the development of psychomotor and reward responses to cocaine. Castrated 8-week-old male Fisher rats recei...

In golden hamsters, the expression of a conditioned place preference (CPP) or avoidance (CPA) is regulated in a circadian pattern such that the preference and avoidance are exhibited strongly at the circadian time of prior training, but not at other circadian times. In the rat, reports are conflicting regarding whether time of day learning is evident. We investigated whether this conflict arise...

We showed that rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) can develop a morphine dependence. Rhesus monkeys successfully established a conditioned place preference (CPP) induced by morphine treatment and this preference lasted for at least (36.3 ± 1.3) months. This animal model may be useful for research into addiction in humans.

The aim of the present study was to examine the cross-sensitization induced by prenatal methamphetamine (MA) exposure to challenge dose of cocaine or morphine. Rat mothers received a daily injection of MA (5 mg/kg) or saline throughout the gestation period. Adult male offspring (prenatally MA- or saline-exposed) were divided to groups with challenge doses...

Experiment 1: It is well known that the social context powerfully influences behaviour. Here we examine whether it also influences drug-seeking. Further, acamprosate and naloxone have been discussed to affect different types of craving: acamprosate was reported to affect withdrawalcraving, while naloxone affects reward-craving. Conditioned drug-seeking was modelled using the conditioned place p...

Most adults consume alcohol with relative impunity, but about 10-20% of users persist (or progress) in their consumption, despite mounting and serious repercussions. Identifying at-risk individuals before neuroadaptative changes associated with chronic use become well ingrained is thus a key step in mitigating and preventing the end stage disease and its devastating impacts. Explaining liabilit...