Context-induced relapse to alcohol seeking after punishment in a rat model.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Rat studies have demonstrated that exposure to environments associated with alcohol intake reinstates alcohol seeking after extinction of alcohol-reinforced responding in a different context. However, extinction is limited as an abstinence model, because humans typically abstain because of negative consequences associated with excessive drinking. It is currently unknown whether alcohol-associated contexts can provoke relapse to alcohol seeking after alcohol-taking behavior is suppressed by adverse consequences in a different context.

Methods

Alcohol-preferring P rats were first given home-cage access to 20% ethanol. Next, they were trained to self-administer 20% ethanol in one context (context A). Subsequently, all rats continued to self-administer alcohol in a di

SUBMITTER: Marchant NJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3517691 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature