Baclofen attenuates cue-induced reinstatement of alcohol-seeking behavior in Sardinian alcohol-preferring (sP) rats

Drug Alcohol Depend. 2008 Jun 1;95(3):284-7. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2008.02.006. Epub 2008 Mar 28.

Abstract

The GABA(B) receptor agonist, baclofen, suppressed alcohol deprivation effect (a proposed experimental model of alcohol relapse) in Sardinian alcohol-preferring rats. The present study was designed to extend the characterization of the "anti-relapse" properties of baclofen to the reinstatement of alcohol-seeking behavior (another proposed model of alcohol relapse). Rats of the sP line were first trained to lever press for alcohol under a fixed ratio 4 schedule of reinforcement. Subsequently, rats were exposed to two within-session 70-min extinction/reinstatement tests with saline or baclofen administered in a counterbalanced, within-subject design. After a 60-min extinction phase, an alcohol-associated stimulus complex was presented (reinstatement phase). Saline or baclofen (3 mg/kg) were administered via a permanent intraperitoneal catheter, 30 min before the reinstatement phase. During the reinstatement phase, baclofen administration: (a) reduced by approximately 60% responses on the previously active lever, (b) increased latency to the first response and (c) decreased the response rate. These results indicate that baclofen reduced cue-induced reinstatement of alcohol-seeking behavior in sP rats.

MeSH terms

  • Alcohol Drinking / epidemiology*
  • Animals
  • Baclofen / administration & dosage
  • Baclofen / pharmacology*
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects*
  • Choice Behavior / drug effects*
  • Cues
  • Extinction, Psychological / drug effects*
  • Male
  • Muscle Relaxants, Central / administration & dosage
  • Muscle Relaxants, Central / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Receptors, GABA / drug effects*
  • Recurrence
  • Reinforcement, Psychology*

Substances

  • Muscle Relaxants, Central
  • Receptors, GABA
  • Baclofen