Blocking dopamine d1-like receptors attenuates context-induced renewal of pavlovian-conditioned alcohol-seeking in rats.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Environmental contexts associated with drug use can trigger craving in humans and the renewal of drug-seeking behaviors in animals. Here, we tested the hypothesis that context-induced renewal of Pavlovian-conditioned alcohol-seeking is mediated by dopamine.

Methods

Male, Long-Evans rats were trained to discriminate between two, 10-second, auditory conditioned stimuli. One stimulus (CS+) was consistently paired with 15% ethanol (EtOH) (v/v, 0.2 ml per CS+) and the second stimulus (CS-) was not. Each CS occurred 16 times per session, and entries into a fluid port where EtOH was delivered were measured. Pavlovian discrimination training (PDT) occurred in a distinctive context, referred to as Context A. Subsequently, behavior was extinguished by presenting both cues w

SUBMITTER: Sciascia JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3946808 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature