Degree Name

MA (Master of Arts)

Program

Psychology

Date of Award

8-2008

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Russell W. Brown

Committee Members

Michael L. Woodruff, Otto Zinser

Abstract

The aim of this investigation was to determine the effect of a nicotine-conditioned context on locomotor hyperactivity in an animal model of D2-priming, and whether conditioned hyperactivity could be blocked by the D2 antagonist eticlopride or the D3 antagonist nafadotride. D2-primed male rats showed enhanced nicotine sensitization as evidenced by statistically significant differences in horizontal activity. D2-primed female rats administered nicotine demonstrated an increased hypoactive response after initial sensitization and increased stereotypy. Eticlopride and nafadotride blocked sensitization to nicotine in both D2-primed and non D2-primed males and females. Eticlopride blocked conditioned hyperactivity in females but not in males. D2-primed female rats administered nicotine demonstrated significantly higher conditioned-hyperactivity as compared to non D2-primed females and controls, and this increase was more effectively blocked by nafadotride as compared to eticlopride. These results suggest differential roles of the dopamine D2 and D3 receptors in both adolescent nicotine sensitization and conditioned activating effects of nicotine.

Document Type

Thesis - unrestricted

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

Share

COinS