Smith, Tracy T.
(2014)
A HISTORY OF HIGH DOSE NICOTINE SELF-ADMINISTRATION INCREASES THE RATE OF SELF-ADMINISTRATION AT LOW NICOTINE DOSES.
Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
Introduction: FDA-mandated product standards that drastically reduce nicotine content in cigarettes may result in decreased smoking and thus, improved health outcomes for millions of U.S. smokers. One issue is whether the rate of smoking at reduced nicotine contents would be different for current smokers from individuals who start smoking for the first time at the reduced content. Method: 48 rats were given the opportunity to self-administer at one of four low nicotine doses (15, 7.5, 3.75, 0.0 µg/kg/infusion) before and after self-administering a higher dose of nicotine (60 µg/kg/infusion). A second group of 57 rats acquired self-administration at the high nicotine dose before experiencing reduction. A cocktail of other cigarette constituents was included in the vehicle and remained constant across the study. Results: The rate of self-administration across the low doses (including vehicle) was higher following self-administration of a high dose. Rates of self-administration following reduction from the high nicotine dose were the same regardless of whether the rats originally acquired at a low dose or the high dose. The effect of self-administering a high nicotine dose was highest for a threshold dose (7.5 µg/kg/infusion). Discussion: The present study suggests rate of self-administering low nicotine doses may be increased by having a history of high dose self-administration. The large effect at a threshold nicotine dose may indicate a shift in the threshold for maintaining behavior as a result of experience with higher doses of nicotine. These data would support the idea that current smokers may smoke at a higher intensity following nicotine reduction than individuals who begin smoking for the first time at the reduced rate. Furthermore, the rate of self-administration following reduction was the same regardless of whether rats acquired at the high dose of nicotine or experienced a low dose before being changed over to a high nicotine dose.
Share
| Citation/Export: |
|
| Social Networking: |
|
Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| ETD Committee: |
|
| Date: |
22 May 2014 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
21 February 2013 |
| Approval Date: |
22 May 2014 |
| Submission Date: |
13 January 2014 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Number of Pages: |
34 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > Psychology |
| Degree: |
MS - Master of Science |
| Thesis Type: |
Master's Thesis |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Policy, Animal Models, Tobacco Constituents |
| Date Deposited: |
22 May 2014 20:43 |
| Last Modified: |
19 Dec 2016 14:41 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/20361 |
Metrics
Monthly Views for the past 3 years
Plum Analytics
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
![[feed]](/images/feed-icon-32x32.png){kind=icon}