Acamprosate attentuates cue‐induced reinstatement of nicotine seeking behavior in rats

Abstract

Acamprosate is a glutamate modulator that has been used in the treatment of alcoholism. This investigation tested the hypothesis that acamprosate can inhibit cue‐induced relapse to nicotine self‐administration (SA) in the rat. Rats were trained to lever press for food under a FR5 schedule, then implanted with jugular catheters. After recovery, daily nicotine SA sessions (0.03 mg/kg/infusion) were conducted under a FR1 schedule (days 1‐5), FR2 schedule (days 6‐8) and then a FR5 schedule (days 9‐30 days). Delivery of nicotine was accompanied by the illumination of a cue light directly above the active lever. Next, extinction sessions were run for 14 days, during which responses on the active lever did not result in the infusion of nicotine or the illumination of the cue light. Beginning on the following day, rats received twice daily injections of saline or acamprosate (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg/i.p.) for 7 days. On the 7th day, the response to the previously conditioned cue was tested. The rats were pretreated with acamprosate and the conditions were the same as nicotine SA, but only saline infusions were delivered. Pretreatment with acamprosate attenuated cue‐induced nicotine seeking behavior. These findings suggest that acamprosate might be efficacious in reducing nicotine seeking behavior.