Valentina Vengeliene1, Falk Kiefer, Rainer Spanagel. 1. Department of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), University of Heidelberg, J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany. valentina.vengeliene@zi-mannheim.de
Abstract
AIMS: The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of partial NMDA receptor agonist d-cycloserine (DCS) on the extinction of conditioned alcohol-seeking behaviour. METHODS: For this purpose, rats were administered with DCS 60 min before each successive extinction session. Resumption of alcohol responding was carried out 1 day after the final extinction session. RESULTS: We demonstrate that treatment of rats with 5 mg/kg of DCS was capable in facilitating extinction of conditioned alcohol-seeking behaviour, which subsequently reduced the resumption of extinguished operant responding. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests a good rationale for the development of new add-on medications for exposure-based psychotherapy so as to extinguish drug-conditioned appetitive memories in alcohol-dependent patients.
AIMS: The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of partial NMDA receptor agonist d-cycloserine (DCS) on the extinction of conditioned alcohol-seeking behaviour. METHODS: For this purpose, rats were administered with DCS 60 min before each successive extinction session. Resumption of alcohol responding was carried out 1 day after the final extinction session. RESULTS: We demonstrate that treatment of rats with 5 mg/kg of DCS was capable in facilitating extinction of conditioned alcohol-seeking behaviour, which subsequently reduced the resumption of extinguished operant responding. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests a good rationale for the development of new add-on medications for exposure-based psychotherapy so as to extinguish drug-conditioned appetitive memories in alcohol-dependent patients.
Authors: Matthew W Johnson; Natalie R Bruner; Patrick S Johnson; Kenneth Silverman; Meredith S Berry Journal: Exp Clin Psychopharmacol Date: 2019-08-01 Impact factor: 3.157