The effects of intra-accumbal administration of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist cytisine on the operant oral self-administration of ethanol were prevented by the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen in rats.

Rationale: Although the mesocorticolimbic dopamine (DA) system is the main neurochemical substrate that regulates the addictive and reinforcing effects of ethanol (EtOH), other neurotransmitter systems, such as the acetylcholine (Ach) system, modulate DAergic function in the nucleus accumbens (nAcc). Previously, we reported that intra-nAcc administration of the nicotinic Ach receptor agonist cytisine increased oral EtOH self-administration. GABAB receptors in the nAcc are expressed in DAergic terminals, inhibit the regulation of DA release into the nAcc, and could modulate the effects of cytisine on oral EtOH self-administration.

Role of drug-associated environmental stimuli in the development of cross-tolerance to the tachycardic effects of nicotine and alcohol in humans.

According to the Pavlovian conditioning model, drug tolerance is modulated by drug-associated environmental cues. This study evaluated the contribution of drug-associated cues in the development of cross-tolerance to the tachycardic effects of nicotine from tobacco and alcohol in human subjects. Forty undergraduate students were recruited for this experiment, and each student was randomly assigned to one of two experimental conditions.

Administration of low doses of the 5-HT receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT attenuates the discriminative signal of amphetamine in the conditioned taste aversion procedure.

Several studies have reported that low doses of the 5-HT receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT reduce cocaine-induced locomotor activity. However, it has also been reported that high doses of 8-OH-DPAT do not substitute for or alter the discriminative signal of cocaine (COC) or amphetamine (AMPH). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of low and high doses of the 5-HT agonist 8-OH-DPAT on the discriminative signal of AMPH using conditioned taste aversion as a drug discrimination procedure.

Effect of coadministration of the GABA agonist baclofen and the 5-HT agonist Ro60-0175 on the expression of amphetamine-induced locomotor sensitization.

GABA and 5-HT agonists are effective in attenuating the behavioral effects of psychostimulants. However, they induce adverse side effects when used in high doses. The previous evidence has suggested that the 5HT receptor activation effect could be produced by an increased release of GABA in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the consequent activation of GABAergic receptors.

Mental nerve injury induces novelty seeking behaviour leading to increasing ethanol intake in Wistar rats.

Objective: Dental treatment and orofacial surgeries may induce chronic neuropathic orofacial pain (CNOP). This kind of pain affects adaptability to environmental changes in both model animals and humans. Part of the adaptation process depends on the ability to distinguish between familiar and novel stimuli.

Effects of co-administration of the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen and a positive allosteric modulator of the GABAB receptor, CGP7930, on the development and expression of amphetamine-induced locomotor sensitization in rats.

Background: Several of the behavioral effects of amphetamine (AMPH) are mediated by an increase in dopamine neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens. However, evidence shows that γ-aminobutyric acid B (GABAB) receptors are involved in the behavioral effects of psychostimulants, including AMPH. Here, we examined the effects of co-administration of the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen and a positive allosteric modulator of the GABAB receptor, CGP7930, on AMPH-induced locomotor sensitization.

The GABA-B antagonist 2-hydroxysaclofen reverses the effects of baclofen on the discriminative stimulus effects of D-amphetamine in the conditioned taste aversion procedure.

Some of the behavioral effects of d-amphetamine (d-AMPH) are mediated by an increase in dopamine neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens. However, there is evidence that gamma-amino-butyric-acid-B (GABA-B) receptors are involved in some behavioral effects of D-AMPH and cocaine. Here, we examined the effects of baclofen on the discriminative stimulus properties of D-AMPH, using conditioned taste aversion (CTA) as the drug discrimination procedure.

Modulatory role of 5-HT1B receptors in the discriminative signal of amphetamine in the conditioned taste aversion paradigm.

Drugs of abuse, such as amphetamine (AMPH), share the ability to activate the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system. The behavioral effects of AMPH are largely mediated by increased DA neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens. However, there is evidence that serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine - 5-HT) systems may regulate forebrain DA function.