An assessment of MDPV-induced place preference in adult Sprague-Dawley rats

Abstract

OBJECTIVE-Most drugs of abuse have both aversive and rewarding effects, and the use and abuse potential of such drugs is thought to be a function of a balance of these affective properties. Characterizing these effects and their relative balance may provide insight into abuse vulnerability. One drug that has received recent attention is methylenedioxyparavalerone (MDPV), a monoamine transport inhibitor similar to, but significantly more potent than, cocaine. MDPV is selfadministered and has been shown to produce aversive and rewarding effects in adult rats. The present study extended this characterization of the affective properties of MDPV by examining its ability to support place conditioning at a range of doses known to produce taste avoidance. METHODS-MaleSprague-Dawley rats were injected with MDPV (1, 1.8 or 3.2 mg/kg) or saline and placed on the non-preferred side of a place conditioning apparatus for 30 min. On the next day, they were given an injection of saline and placed on the preferred side. This was repeated three times for a total of four conditioning cycles, and side preference was assessed on a final test.RESULTS-All doses of MDPV produced significant increases in time spent in the drug-paired chamber, an effect not seen in vehicle-treated animals.CONCLUSIONS-That the same doses of MDPV induced both taste avoidance and place preference allows assessments of how other factors might impact these effects and how they may, in turn, contribute to its abuse liability.

Antagonism of the kappa opioid receptor attenuates THC-induced place aversions in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats

“…This two-day cycle of the drug given prior to the animal’s placement on the preferred side followed by vehicle given prior to its placement on the non-preferred side was repeated four additional times (for a total of five cycles). Order of conditioning sessions (i.e., drug versus vehicle) was not counterbalanced (King and Riley, 2013; King et al, 2015; Lepore et al, 1995; Mayer and Parker, 1993). On the day following the final conditioning cycle (PND 99), all of the animals were given a final place conditioning test during which they were placed in the middle gray compartment and allowed to explore the apparatus freely for 20 min with time spent in each chamber recorded to obtain individual preferences.…”