Ketamine self-administration in the rat: evidence for a critical role of setting
M. D. Luca, A. Badiani
Psychopharmacology March 1, 2011 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-010-2062-x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Preclinical experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Rats with intravenous catheters |
| Intervention | Ketamine |
| Dose | 125, 250, 500, and 1,000 μg/kg per infusion |
| Topics | Esketamine Ketamine |
| Key findings | Non-resident rats acquired ketamine self-administration at all tested doses, while resident rats self-administered only the highest dose (500 μg/kg) and at a lower rate (11.0 ± 6.0 vs 44.4 ± 5.2 infusions). No significant differences in break-point were observed. |
Abstract
RationaleThe abuse of ketamine has been reported to be on the rise over the past 15 years, but its abuse appears to be limited almost exclusively to the context of music and dance settings, indicating a major role of context in modulating its reinforcing effects. We have previously reported that amphetamine, cocaine, and heroin self-administration (SA) in the rat are differentially influenced by the setting in which testing takes place. The aim of the present study is to extend this pre-clinical model to ketamine.Materials and methodsIndependent groups of rats with intravenous catheters were given the possibility to self-administer different doses of ketamine (125, 250, and 500 μg/kg per infusion) under two environmental conditions. Some animals were housed in the SA chambers (resident rats) whereas other rats were transported to the SA chambers only for the test sessions (non-resident rats). After training, within-subject dose effect curves (125, 250, 500, and 1,000 μg/kg per infusion) and break-point (during a progressive ratio session) were calculated.ResultsNon-resident rats readily acquired ketamine self-administration. In contrast, resident rats self-administered only the highest dose of ketamine (500 μg/kg), but still four times less than non-resident rats (11.0 ± 6.0 vs 44.4 ± 5.2 infusions during the last training session). No significant differences in break-point were found during the progressive ratio session.ConclusionsThe present study confirms at a preclinical level the importance of setting for ketamine SA and further validates a previously described animal model of drug−environment interaction.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on ketamine, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| mTOR-Dependent Synapse Formation Underlies the Rapid Antidepressant Effects of NMDA Antagonists Rats | 2010 | Observational study | |
| Activation of Glutamatergic Neurotransmission by Ketamine: A Novel Step in the Pathway from NMDA Receptor Blockade to Dopaminergic and Cognitive Disruptions Associated with the Prefrontal Cortex Conscious rats | 1997 | Dose-response study with microdialysis and behavioral testing | |
| NMDAR inhibition-independent antidepressant actions of ketamine metabolites Mice | 2016 | Preclinical study | |
| The dissociative anaesthetics, ketamine and phencyclidine, selectively reduce excitation of central mammalian neurones by N‐methyl‐aspartate Spinal neurons in decerebrate or pentobarbitone-anaesthetized cats and rats | 1983 | Experimental study | |
| R-ketamine: a rapid-onset and sustained antidepressant without psychotomimetic side effects Mice | 2015 | Experimental study |
Citations in the library
Cited by 21
- Pharmacological and behavioral divergence of ketamine enantiomers: implications for abuse liability Molecular Psychiatry April 15, 2021
- The abuse liability of ketamine: A scoping review of preclinical and clinical studies. Journal of Psychiatric Research May 1, 2022
- On the safety of repeated ketamine infusions for the treatment of depression: Effects of sex and developmental periods Neurobiology of Stress September 21, 2018
- Use and abuse of dissociative and psychedelic drugs in adolescence Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior January 27, 2021
- Epigenetic mechanisms of rapid-acting antidepressants Translational Psychiatry September 4, 2024
and 16 more in the library
Cites 3
- The dissociative anaesthetics, ketamine and phencyclidine, selectively reduce excitation of central mammalian neurones by N‐methyl‐aspartate British Journal of Pharmacology June 1, 1983
- A Review of the Nonmedical Use of Ketamine: Use, Users and Consequences Journal of Psychoactive Drugs December 1, 2000
- Increased response to ketamine following treatment at long intervals: implications for intermittent use. Biological Psychiatry January 15, 2008