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Further characterization of dopamine D2/D3 receptors and cocaine self‐administration in socially housed female monkeys
Author(s) -
Duke Angela N,
Nader Susan H,
Riddick Natallia V,
Czoty Paul W,
Nader Michael A
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.661.2
Subject(s) - dopamine receptor d2 , dopamine receptor d3 , psychology , dopamine , receptor , medicine , endocrinology , developmental psychology , physiology , reinforcement , dopamine receptor , neuroscience , social psychology
Previous research in male subjects has shown an inverse relationship between vulnerability to drug abuse and dopamine D2/D3 receptor availability as measured with positron emission tomography. However, in female monkeys, this relationship appears opposite. Dominant female monkeys had higher D2/D3 receptor availability than subordinates, but acquired cocaine reinforcement at lower doses. These sex differences are of significance because they imply different treatment strategies in males vs. females (increase vs. decrease D2/D3 receptor availability, respectively). In the current study, we examined the relationship between D2/D3 receptor availability and responding maintained by food and cocaine in socially housed females. There was no relationship between D2/D3 receptor availability and food‐maintained response rates. However, females with high D2/D3 receptor measures had significantly higher cocaine‐maintained response rates using the lowest dose that functioned as a reinforcer (r 2 =0.30, p <0.05). In male monkeys the relationship is inverse. Ongoing studies with females will determine whether this relationship between D2/D3 receptors and cocaine reinforcement is a trait variable or related to the formation of social rank (i.e., a state variable). Altogether, these findings support the examination of treatment strategies that consider the sex of the individual.