Associations between sensation seeking and d‐amphetamine reinforcement. (6th April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Miller, Mollie E.; Badger, Gary J.; Heil, Sarah H.; Higgins, Stephen T.; Sigmon, Stacey C.
• Is Part Of: American journal on addictions. Volume 24:Number 5(2015)
• Page Start: 435
• Page End: 442
• Publication Date: 2015-04-06
• Subjects: Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Substance abuse -- Treatment -- Periodicals; 616.86005
• DOI: 10.1111/ajad.12226
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1055-0496

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="ajad12226-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background and Objectives</title> <p>While many individuals experiment with stimulants, only a subset transition to abuse or dependence. One characteristic widely associated with stimulant abuse vulnerability in general is sensation seeking (SS), though less clear is how individuals' baseline SS may predict their response to acute stimulant administration.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajad12226-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>In this secondary analysis, we examined associations between SS and <italic>d</italic>‐AMPH choice and subjective response among healthy male (<italic>n</italic> = 16) and female (<italic>n</italic> = 21) adults participating in an outpatient laboratory study wherein they received repeated opportunities to sample and choose between <italic>d</italic>‐AMPH (5, 10, and 20 mg/70 kg) and placebo.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajad12226-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Among males, elevated baseline SS was associated with increased <italic>d</italic>‐AMPH choice and positive subjective effects at 5 and 10 mg/70 kg doses. Among females, there were no significant associations between SS and <italic>d</italic>‐AMPH choice or subjective effects.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajad12226-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Discussion and Conclusions</title> <p>Elevated SS in males may be associated with increased sensitivity to <italic>d</italic>‐AMPH reinforcement and positive subjective effects. Data from this study suggest that SS may not predict sensitivity to stimulants in females, though future studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to answer this definitively.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajad12226-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Scientific Significance</title> <p>Sensation seeking may reflect an important characteristic underlying sensitivity to stimulant reinforcement. Efforts to better understand these individual differences would inform efforts to identify and intervene with those at risk for developing abuse or dependence. (Am J Addict 2015;24:435 –442)</p> </sec> </abstract>