Environmental enrichment as a potential intervention for heroin seeking. (1st June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Galaj, E.; Manuszak, M.; Ranaldi, R.
• Is Part Of: Drug and alcohol dependence. Volume 163(2016)
• Page Start: 195
• Page End: 201
• Publication Date: 2016-06-01
• Subjects: Heroin -- Cue-induced reinstatement -- Heroin seeking -- Conditioned place preference -- Environmental enrichment; Drug abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.04.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0376-8716

Abstract

Highlights: Environmental enrichment reduces cue-induced reinstatement of heroin seeking. Environmental enrichment reduces expression of heroin conditioned place preference. Environmental enrichment may have potential as an anti-heroin relapse treatment. Abstract: Background: Heroin-related cues can trigger craving and relapse in addicts or heroin seeking in rats. In the present study we investigated whether environmental enrichment (EE) implemented after heroin exposure can reduce cue-induced reinstatement of heroin seeking and expression of heroin conditioned place preference. Methods: In Experiment 1, male Long Evans rats that already acquired a heroin self-administration habit, were housed in enriched or non-enriched environments, underwent extinction training and later were tested for cue-induced reinstatement of heroin seeking. In Experiment 2, rats were conditioned with heroin in one compartment of a CPP apparatus and saline in the other, exposed to 30 days of enrichment or no enrichment and were later tested for heroin CPP. Results: The results showed that exposure to EE significantly reduced responding during the reinstatement test (Experiment 1) and prevented the expression of heroin CPP (Experiment 2). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that EE can be an effective behavioral approach to diminish the effects of conditioned cues on heroin seeking.