Getachew, BrukHauser, Sheketha R.Dhaher, RonnieBell, Richard L.Oster, Scott M.McBride, William J.Rodd, Zachary A.2016-02-082016-02-082011-02Getachew, B., Hauser, S. R., Dhaher, R., Bell, R. L., Oster, S. M., McBride, W. J., & Rodd, Z. A. (2011). CB1 Receptors Regulate Alcohol-Seeking Behavior and Alcohol Self-administration of Female Alcohol-Preferring (P) Rats. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior, 97(4), 669–675. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbb.2010.11.0060091-3057https://hdl.handle.net/1805/8277Rationale The endogenous cannabinoid (CB) system mediates a number of behaviors associated with drug-seeking and drug self-administration. In this study the effects of CB1 receptor manipulations on operant ethanol (EtOH) responding during EtOH-seeking, EtOH- relapse as well as on-going EtOH self-administration were determined. Methods Alcohol-preferring (P) rats were trained in 2-lever operant chambers to self-administer 15% EtOH (v/v) and water on a concurrent fixed-ratio 5 – fixed-ratio 1 (FR5-FR1) schedule of reinforcement in daily 1-hr sessions. After 10 weeks, rats underwent 7 extinction sessions, followed by 2 weeks in their home cages without access to EtOH or operant chambers. Rats were then returned to the operant chambers for testing of EtOH-seeking behavior (no EtOH present) for 4 sessions. After a week in their home cages following the EtOH-seeking test, rats were returned to the operant chambers with access to EtOH and water (relapse). Rats were then maintained in the operant chambers for daily 1-hr sessions with access to 15% EtOH and water for several weeks. Results The CB1 receptor antagonist (SR141716A), at doses of 1 and 2 mg/kg, i.p. reduced EtOH-seeking and transiently reduced EtOH self-administration during relapse and maintenance. Conversely, treatment with the CB1 receptor agonist CP, 55-940, at doses of 1 and 10 μg/kg i.p., increased EtOH-seeking and EtOH self-administration during relapse. Conclusions The results of this study demonstrate that activation of CB1 receptors are involved in regulating EtOH-seeking as well as the reinforcing effects of EtOH under relapse and on-going self-administration conditions.en-USPublisher PolicyEthanoladministration & dosageMotivationReceptor, Cannabinoid, CB1physiologyArticle