Basal cortisol level modulates stress-induced opioid-seeking behavior.

ABSTRACT: In preclinical studies and our human laboratory, the α₂-noradrenergic autoreceptor antagonist yohimbine was found to promote drug-seeking behavior. This study evaluated effects of dose-combinations of yohimbine and the glucocorticoid receptor agonist hydrocortisone to model intensity-dependent effects of stimulating each neurochemical system, alone and together, on stress-reactivity and opioid-seeking. Twelve regular heroin-using participants diagnosed with opioid use disorder (OUD) were stabilized on sublingual buprenorphine (8-mg/day), then passed a hydromorphone 18-mg vs. placebo intramuscular reinforcement screen. Across 9 experimental conditions (3 × 3 within-subject, randomized crossover, placebo-controlled, double-blind design) during inpatient buprenorphine maintenance,

SUBMITTER: Greenwald MK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11550728 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature