Assessing the reinforcing effects of caffeine : the self-administrtion of caffeine by rats
- UNCW Author/Contributor (non-UNCW co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Shanna Babalonis (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW )
- Web Site: http://library.uncw.edu/
Abstract: Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive drug, with the prevalence of
use approaching 80% of the world's population. In stark contrast to most stimulants,
caffeine is considered an innocuous agent with advantageous behavioral effects.
Nonetheless, the sustained use of caffeine can result in tolerance or sensitization to the
pharmacologic and behavioral effects of the drug effects shared with other stimulants
including amphetamine and cocaine. Moreover, unlike cocaine, caffeine abstinence
results in unique withdrawal symptoms that are easily identified. The observation of
withdrawal, dependence, and tolerance, notions usually associated with drug abuse,
suggest caffeine consumption may provide an intriguing model of substance abuse. To
this end, the aims of this work were to delineate environmental factors that establish
caffeine self-administration in rats. The self-administration of caffeine was established
and modified by a combination of behavioral and pharmacological factors including food
restriction, drug dose, and infusion rate. The results suggest caffeine-maintained behavior
is comparable to nicotine self-administration, but distinct from that of cocaine or heroin.
These findings highlight the role of non-pharmacological factors in substance abuse and
suggest that further investigations evaluating the reinforcing effects of caffeine can
enhance the understanding and treatment of drug abuse.
Assessing the reinforcing effects of caffeine : the self-administrtion of caffeine by rats
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Created on 1/1/2009
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- A Thesis Submitted to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Masters of Arts
- Language: English
- Date: 2009
- Keywords
- Caffeine habit, Rats--Research
- Subjects
- Caffeine habit
- Rats -- Research