Research article summary (published 29 Apr 1999):

Discriminative stimulus (DS) properties of nicotine in the C57BL/6 mouse.

Full Abstract

Previous research conducted in this and other laboratories has examined the role of genetic factors in determining sensitivity to (-)-nicotine in a variety of behavioral and physiological measures in the rat. More recent research further indicates that genetic factors can also influence the level of sensitivity to (-)-nicotine when serving as a discriminative stimulus (DS) in different rat strains. However, there has been little work examining the influence of genotype on the discriminative stimulus (DS) properties of (-)-nicotine in mice, a species that has played a major role in understanding the relationship between genetics and (-)-nicotine pharmacological effects. To further our understanding of the role of genetics and the ability of (-)-nicotine to exert DS control of behavior in the mouse, a group of C57BL/6 mice was trained to discriminate 0.4 mg/kg (-)-nicotine from saline using a two-lever operant procedure. (-)-Nicotine's discriminative stimulus in C57BL/6 mice appears to be similar to that generated in the rat. Results from behavioral tests with other drugs indicated that d-amphetamine exhibited a partial generalization, while (+)-nicotine fully generalized with nicotine. Tests of antagonism with mecamylamine and scopolamine further showed the cholinergic specificity of the (-)-nicotine DS in the mouse; mecamylamine but not scopolamine completely antagonized the (-)-nicotine DS. This work lays the groundwork for future comparisons of different mouse strain's sensitivities to (-)-nicotine's discriminative stimulus as well as using this behavioral model to search for new nicotinic receptor agonists and antagonists.

Author information

Author/s: Varvel, S A (SA); James, J R (JR); Bowen, S (S); Rosecrans, J A (JA); Karan, L D (LD);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23284, USA.

Grants: K20DA00183-03 (Agency:NIDA NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior (Pharmacol Biochem Behav), published in UNITED STATES. (Language: eng)

Reference: 1999-May; vol 63 (issue 1) : pp 27-32

Dates: Created 1999/07/28; Completed 1999/07/28; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 10340520, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Analysis of Variance Animals Conditioning, Operant - drug effects Cues Discrimination Learning - drug effects Dose-Response Relationship, Drug Generalization, Stimulus

Genotype Male Mice Mice, Inbred C57BL Nicotine - pharmacology Nicotinic Agonists - pharmacology Stimulation, Chemical

Associated Chemicals: Nicotinic Agonists (0) ; Nicotine (54-11-5)

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