Enhanced cocaine self-administration in adult rats prenatally exposed to cocaine

Neurosci Lett. 1996 Mar 1;205(3):153-6. doi: 10.1016/0304-3940(96)12409-5.

Abstract

Rats that had been prenatally exposed to either cocaine or saline were examined as adults using continuous reinforcement (FR1) cocaine self-administration. Initially these rats were water-deprived and trained to bar-press for water; no differences across prenatal treatments were observed during this training phase. After complete rehydration and implantation of an intravenous cannula into the external jugular vein, animals were introduced to cocaine self-administration with a nocturnal and subsequent 3 h exposure. During daily test sessions rats were allowed to self-administer cocaine for 1 h/day. Prenatal cocaine exposure led to a marked and stable enhancement of the rates of self-administration for up to 13 days, the longest time point examined. These results suggest that prenatal cocaine exposure can alter cocaine reinforcement in adult animals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Cocaine / pharmacology*
  • Conditioning, Psychological
  • Drinking
  • Female
  • Injections, Subcutaneous
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Self Administration

Substances

  • Cocaine