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Stress-induced reinstatement of alcohol-seeking in rats is selectively suppressed by the neurokinin 1 (NK1) antagonist L822429

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Abstract

Rationale

Genetic inactivation or pharmacological antagonism of neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptors blocks morphine and alcohol reward in rodents, while NK1 antagonism decreases alcohol craving in humans. The role of the NK1 system for relapse-like behavior has not previously been examined.

Objective

Divergence between human and rodent NK1 receptors has limited the utility of NK1 antagonists developed for the human receptor species for preclinical studies of addiction-related behaviors in rats. Here we used L822429, an NK1 antagonist specifically engineered to bind at high affinity to the rat receptor, to assess the effects of NK1 receptor antagonism on alcohol-seeking behaviors in rats.

Methods

L822429 (15 and 30 mg/kg) was used to examine effects of NK1 receptor antagonism on operant self-administration of 10% alcohol in 30-min daily sessions, as well as intermittent footshock stress- and cue-induced reinstatement of alcohol-seeking after extinction of lever responding.

Results

At the doses used, L822429 did not significantly affect alcohol self-administration or cue-induced reinstatement, but potently and dose dependently suppressed stress-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking, with an essentially complete suppression at the highest dose. The effect of L822429 on stress-induced reinstatement was behaviorally specific. The drug had no effect on conditioned suppression of operant responding following fear conditioning, locomotor activity, or self-administration of a sucrose solution.

Conclusions

To the degree that the reinstatement model provides a model of drug relapse, the results provide support for NK1 antagonism as a promising mechanism for pharmacotherapy of alcoholism, acting through suppression of stress-induced craving and relapse.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Andrea Goldstein, Michelle Zook, and Lauren Bell for technical assistance, and Dr. Andrea Cippitelli for advice concerning methodological procedures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Building 10-CRC, Room 1-5330, Bethesda, MD, 20892-1108, USA

    Jesse R. Schank, Kelly E. Rowe, Annika Thorsell & Markus Heilig

  2. Behavioral Neuroscience Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892-9561, USA

    Charles L. Pickens & Yavin Shaham

  3. Chemical Biology Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892-9561, USA

    Kejun Cheng & Kenner C. Rice

  4. 10 Center Drive, 10/1E-5334, Bethesda, MD, 20892-1108, USA

    Markus Heilig

Authors
  1. Jesse R. Schank
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  2. Charles L. Pickens
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  3. Kelly E. Rowe
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  4. Kejun Cheng
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  5. Annika Thorsell
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  6. Kenner C. Rice
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  7. Yavin Shaham
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  8. Markus Heilig
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Correspondence to Markus Heilig.

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Schank, J.R., Pickens, C.L., Rowe, K.E. et al. Stress-induced reinstatement of alcohol-seeking in rats is selectively suppressed by the neurokinin 1 (NK1) antagonist L822429. Psychopharmacology 218, 111–119 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-011-2201-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-011-2201-z

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