Naltrexone attenuates cue- but not drug-induced methamphetamine seeking: A possible mechanism for the dissociation of primary and secondary reward

Kusnandar Anggadiredja, Katsuya Sakimura, Takato Hiranita, Tsuneyuki Yamamoto

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

55 Scopus citations

Abstract

The present study was aimed to clarify the role of the opioid system in the reinstatement of methamphetamine (METH)-seeking behavior in METH self-administering rats. Following 12 days of self-administration of METH, the replacement of METH with saline resulted in a gradual decrease in lever press responses (extinction). Under extinction conditions, METH-priming or re-exposure to cues previously paired with METH infusion markedly increased the responses (reinstatement of drug-seeking). Naltrexone administered 30 min before re-exposure to METH-associated cues attenuated reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior. On the other hand, administration of this antagonist had no effect on the reinstatement induced by METH-priming. We discussed these findings in relation with the dissociation of primary and secondary reward, suggesting that an opioid mechanism is responsible for this dissociation. Further, these results indicate the possibility of using naltrexone as an anti-relapse agent.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)272-276
Number of pages5
JournalBrain Research
Volume1021
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 24 2004
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Methamphetamine
  • Naltrexone
  • Opioid
  • Rat
  • Self-administration

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology
  • Molecular Biology
  • General Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology

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