Tolerance to response-disruptive effects of cocaine is facilitated by opportunity to respond in the absence of drug

Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
Michelle L Miller, M N Branch

Abstract

A dose of cocaine that was 1/8 of a logarithmic unit larger than the smallest dose that produced complete suppression of responding of pigeons under a fixed-ratio 20 schedule was administered prior to 50 daily sessions. If responding occurred, then the dose was increased by 1/8 of a logarithmic unit and administered for an additional 50 sessions. The pigeons were divided into either a 'control' or 'saline' group. Control group pigeons received the same dose of cocaine for 100 additional days. Pigeons in the saline group were also exposed to a daily dosing regimen for 100 more sessions except that saline was substituted once every 5 days. Daily dosing then continued and dose-response functions were re-determined by substituting other doses for the daily dose every fifth session. During the first exposure to each dose, tolerance was evident for five of six pigeons in the saline group, whereas sensitization was evident for pigeons in the control group. Tolerance was observed in both groups following subsequent exposures. Tolerance to effects of behaviorally large doses of cocaine was therefore promoted when saline was occasionally substituted for the daily dose. Opportunity to respond during an ongoing regimen of daily cocaine adm...Continue Reading

Citations


❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.