Transfer of the discriminative stimulus effects of Δ9-THC and nicotine from one operant response to another in rats

Abstract

These data demonstrate that (a) discriminative control by two distinct drug states can transfer and modulate a topographically different free-operant response and, (b) as is true for exteroceptive stimuli, drug states that function as antecedents embedded within the operant three-term contingency have differing relationships with the response and the primary reinforcer.

Acquisition, Extinction, Recovery, and Reversal of Different Response Sequences Under Conditional Control by Nicotine in Rats

“…Alternatively, the rats’ reinforcement and extinction histories in the non-drug state with both responses in the pilot study conducted 3 months prior to this investigation may have contributed to weaker reversal learning in the saline condition. Nevertheless, it appeared that the conditional control by nicotine over the response sequences established in the initial acquisition phase was reversed when the response outcome contingencies were switched These data are consistent with a recent investigation in which the conditional roles of nicotine and Δ 9 -THC were reversed for lever-pressing and nose-poking topographies (Troisi et al, 2010); they are also consistent with other evaluations of reversal learning of drug discriminations (e.g., Rijenders, Jarbe, & Slangen, 1991). The present study thus provides further evidence for the importance of the specific relationships learned between the drug-S D and the response(s) it evokes in sustaining operant drug discrimination.…”

“…This laboratory (Troisi, 2003a,b; 2006; 2011; Troisi et al, 2012; Troisi, LeMay, & Järbe, 2010) has systematically investigated aspects of extinction of operant behavior evoked by the discriminative stimulus effects of nicotine, including: spontaneous recovery, reinstatement, context renewal, transfer, and reversal learning. Thematically, drug treatment related issues pertaining to extinction of behavior evoked by interoceptive drug-related cues have been of particular theoretical importance.…”

“…In view of the reversal learning data with nicotine previously reported (Troisi et al, 2010), in a third phase the stimulus roles of nicotine and saline were switched to evaluate reversal of conditional control by nicotine and saline over the two sequences. It was predicted that reassigning the stimulus roles of nicotine and saline over the two response sequences in the present investigation would reverse performance on each response manipulandum.…”

Effects of menthol and its interaction with nicotine-conditioned cue on nicotine-seeking behavior in rats

“…In the extinction tests, the continued presence of menthol sustained nicotine-seeking responses relative to the menthol omission counterparts. The finding that menthol acted as an occasion-setter (or a discriminative cue) for nicotine-seeking behavior is in line with the reports demonstrating that the interoceptive state produced by a drug (e.g., nicotine, alcohol, cocaine, and Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol) functioned as a discriminative stimuli for operant responding for natural rewards, such as food and sex (Troisi, 2003; Troisi and Akins, 2004; Troisi et al, 2010). Using a similar procedure in rats, we observed a similar effect of caffeine in sustaining nicotine-seeking behavior as long as pre-session caffeine administration preceded every session during the self-administration phase (Liu and Jernigan, 2012).…”

Pavlovian Extinction of the Discriminative Stimulus Effects of Nicotine and Ethanol in Rats Varies as a Function of Context

“…That investigation demonstrated that Pavlovian contingencies can impact operant discriminative stimulus effects of drugs; imposing explicit CSàUS relationships on drug states impacts the function of drugs as operant discriminative stimuli. However, although such Pavlovian relationships may be sufficient to produce operant stimulus control, they are neither necessary nor sufficient (Troisi, LeMay, & Järbe, 2010) for establishing operant discriminative control by drug states (Troisi, 2006). The environmental context in which the acquisition and extinction of a Pavlovian CSàUS relationship takes place impacts recovery of responding following extinction-that is, renewal (Bouton & King, 1983).…”