Cross-reinstatement by cocaine and amphetamine of morphine-induced place preference in mice

Abstract

The cross-reinstatement by psychostimulants of a conditioned place preference (CPP) induced by morphine was evaluated in mice. In Experiment 1, we examined the effects of a single dose of cocaine and amphetamine on a previously extinguished morphine CPP. After acquisition of CPP induced by morphine (40 mg/kg), animals underwent daily extinction sessions of 15 min duration until the CPP was extinguished. Subsequently, animals received a non-contingent injection of cocaine (25 mg/kg) or amphetamine (4 mg/kg), which produced the reinstatement of the extinguished morphine-induced CPP. In Experiment 2, we evaluated the reinstating effects of several priming doses of cocaine (Experiment 2A) or amphetamine (Experiment 2B). As in the first experiment, after conditioning with morphine (40 mg/kg), mice underwent daily 15 min extinction sessions. When the preference was no longer evident, we tested the effects of cocaine (0, 6.25, 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg) and amphetamine (0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg/kg) on the reinstatement of CPP. Doses from 12.5 mg/kg of cocaine upward and doses from 1 mg/kg of amphetamine upward effectively reinstated CPP. Our results demonstrate cross-reinstatement with psychostimulants and opiates, suggesting that in abstinent individuals, drug exposure can produce craving for the previously abused drug and relapse.