Examining Nicotine-Mediated Alcohol Drinking and Relapse Behavior in a Rodent Model of Dopamine Supersensitivity
Abstract
A strong comorbidity exists between psychological disorders, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and substance use disorders involving alcohol (EtOH) and nicotine; dopamine supersensitivity serves as a shared mechanism for these conditions. In our laboratory, we utilized the offspring of rats that were neonatally administered either saline (SS) or quinpirole (QQ), a dopamine receptor agonist. We have previously established that neonatal quinpirole administration results in heritable dopamine receptor supersensitivity. During adolescence, rats were given a two-bottle choice (2BC) test for 21 days with 24-hour access to both water and a 10% ethanol solution. To model co-use, rats received intraperitoneal (IP) injections of either saline or nicotine (0.6 mg/kg). We measured acute drinking behavior at 3 and 6 hours post-injection, while chronic drinking was assessed 24 hours following nicotine administration. Following this exposure, ethanol and nicotine access was terminated. Withdrawal-induced anxiety-like behavior was then evaluated by examining locomotor activity in an open-field test at 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 days post-withdrawal. A subsequent 2BC test was administered in adulthood to determine if adolescent co-exposure influenced adult drinking behavior and relapse vulnerability. Our results indicated that nicotine-treated QQ rats exhibited higher acute EtOH consumption during adolescence than saline-treated SS rats. Furthermore, in both adolescent and adult 2BC tests, the QQ group showed a statistically significant increase in EtOH intake compared to the SS group. Notably, nicotine-treated QQ females presented with significantly higher locomotor activity and a failure to habituate over time compared to all other groups. These findings suggest that adolescent exposure to alcohol and nicotine produces long-term changes in adult alcohol consumption and relapse vulnerability, with a more pronounced effect on females during the withdrawal phase.
Start Time
15-4-2026 1:30 PM
End Time
15-4-2026 4:30 PM
Room Number
Culp Ballroom 316
Poster Number
5
Presentation Type
Poster
Presentation Subtype
Posters - Competitive
Presentation Category
Health
Student Type
Undergraduate Student
Faculty Mentor
Justin Gass
Examining Nicotine-Mediated Alcohol Drinking and Relapse Behavior in a Rodent Model of Dopamine Supersensitivity
Culp Ballroom 316
A strong comorbidity exists between psychological disorders, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and substance use disorders involving alcohol (EtOH) and nicotine; dopamine supersensitivity serves as a shared mechanism for these conditions. In our laboratory, we utilized the offspring of rats that were neonatally administered either saline (SS) or quinpirole (QQ), a dopamine receptor agonist. We have previously established that neonatal quinpirole administration results in heritable dopamine receptor supersensitivity. During adolescence, rats were given a two-bottle choice (2BC) test for 21 days with 24-hour access to both water and a 10% ethanol solution. To model co-use, rats received intraperitoneal (IP) injections of either saline or nicotine (0.6 mg/kg). We measured acute drinking behavior at 3 and 6 hours post-injection, while chronic drinking was assessed 24 hours following nicotine administration. Following this exposure, ethanol and nicotine access was terminated. Withdrawal-induced anxiety-like behavior was then evaluated by examining locomotor activity in an open-field test at 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 days post-withdrawal. A subsequent 2BC test was administered in adulthood to determine if adolescent co-exposure influenced adult drinking behavior and relapse vulnerability. Our results indicated that nicotine-treated QQ rats exhibited higher acute EtOH consumption during adolescence than saline-treated SS rats. Furthermore, in both adolescent and adult 2BC tests, the QQ group showed a statistically significant increase in EtOH intake compared to the SS group. Notably, nicotine-treated QQ females presented with significantly higher locomotor activity and a failure to habituate over time compared to all other groups. These findings suggest that adolescent exposure to alcohol and nicotine produces long-term changes in adult alcohol consumption and relapse vulnerability, with a more pronounced effect on females during the withdrawal phase.
