Figure 1. Experimental Design.
Social defeats (indicated by arrows) occurred on days 1, 4, 7, and 10. One cohort of rats was implanted with intracerebral cannulae on day 11, and underwent in vivo microdialysis to determine neural sensitization on day 20. A separate cohort was assessed for behavioral sensitization by locomotor activity in response to acute cocaine on day 20. A final cohort was catheterized on day 11 and allowed to self-administer cocaine in an unlimited “binge” on day 20.