biostudies-literatureUnknownNowak DBNIDA NIH HHS<h4>Rationale</h4>Maladaptive drug choice is a defining component of substance use disorders; whereby drug misuse persists despite adverse consequences. A goal of behavioral interventions, such as contingency management programs, is to promote reallocation of behavior towards adaptive pursuits. The neurobiological mechanisms that govern behavioral reallocation in the context of ongoing cocaine use remain poorly understood.<h4>Objective</h4>Here, we demonstrate a cocaine versus sucrose choice paradigm in male and female rats using a novel format that dissuades exclusive sucrose or cocaine choice by offering sucrose pellets on a progressive ratio, while cocaine infusions are offered at a low, fixed ratio. Maintenance of both drug and non-drug choice will allow for the investigation of behaviResearch squarers.3.rs-7802392https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12636728biostudies-literatureAssessing behavioral reallocation after acute environmental manipulations using an asymmetric cocaine versus sucrose choice task in male and female rats.PMC12636728R01 DA052169R01 DA048280F30 DA060020Schultz BEMantsch JRNowak DBEstes MKWheeler RAfalseAssessing behavioral reallocation after acute environmental manipulations using an asymmetric cocaine versus sucrose choice task in male and female rats.<h4>Rationale</h4>Maladaptive drug choice is a defining component of substance use disorders; whereby drug misuse persists despite adverse consequences. A goal of behavioral interventions, such as contingency management programs, is to promote reallocation of behavior towards adaptive pursuits. The neurobiological mechanisms that govern behavioral reallocation in the context of ongoing cocaine use remain poorly understood.<h4>Objective</h4>Here, we demonstrate a cocaine versus sucrose choice paradigm in male and female rats using a novel format that dissuades exclusive sucrose or cocaine choice by offering sucrose pellets on a progressive ratio, while cocaine infusions are offered at a low, fixed ratio. Maintenance of both drug and non-drug choice will allow for the investigation of behavi2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Oct2026-06-19T03:08:08.326Z2026-06-19T03:07:02.176ZS-EPMC126367284128212410.21203/rs.3.rs-7802392/v1