Predator scent stress reduces oxycodone self-administration and the nucleus accumbens dopamine response to oxycodone in female rats.

ABSTRACT: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops in a sub-population of people exposed to trauma and is highly comorbid with opioid use disorder (OUD). The neurobiology of comorbid PTSD+OUD, especially with respect to sex differences, is poorly understood. Here we investigated the sex-specific effects of predator scent stress on intravenous (IV) oxycodone self-administration (SA), cue-primed reinstatement, and pre- and post-stress corticosterone (CORT) concentrations. Upon detecting effects of stress on oxycodone IVSA, the nucleus accumbens (NA) dopamine response to oxycodone was assessed. Male and female rats received a single 10-minute exposure to the predator scent TMT or the control condition. One week later, rats were tested for anxiety-like behavior on the elevated plus maze and underw

SUBMITTER: Wilkinson CS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12875285 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature