Anatabine Significantly Decreases Nicotine Self‐ Administration

Abstract

Anatabine is one of the most abundant of the minor tobacco alkaloids but relatively little is known about its interactions with the abuse‐related effects of nicotine. The acute effects of anatabine (0.18–3.2 mg/kg, IM) or saline on nicotine‐ and food‐maintained responding were examined in four rhesus monkeys. Nicotine (0.01 mg/kg/inj, base) and banana‐flavored food pellets (1g) were available under a second‐order schedule (FR 2, VR 16:S). Anatabine or saline injections were administered 15 min before the food self‐administration session began. Saline control treatment was in effect after administration of each anatabine dose until monkeys returned to baseline levels of responding. Anatabine dose‐dependently reduced nicotine self‐administration (P<0.05) with no significant effects on food‐maintained responding. There was no evidence of sedation or other adverse side effects. These data suggest that anatabine could be an effective medication for treatment of nicotine addiction. Supported by DA026892 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH.