Effects of Stress on the Reinstatement of Cocaine-Seeking Behavior Between Rats Selectively Bred for High and Low Saccharin Intake

Abstract

Stress has been shown to be a predicting factor in relapse into cocaine-seeking behavior after abstinence, and genetic factors in substance abuse have been examined in human and animal models alike (Perry & Carroll, 2008). In order to model the heritability of drug abuse and drug intake, selectively bred rats for high and low saccharin intake were used as the subjects in this proposed experiment, with stress level as the independent variable. Cocaine reinstatement between these four groups was examined in order to determine if a relationship exists between genetic predisposition for saccharin intake (as a model for the heritability of drug use) and the effects of stress on reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior in rats.