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. 1991 Mar 15;88(6):2088–2092. doi: 10.1073/pnas.88.6.2088

Corticosterone levels determine individual vulnerability to amphetamine self-administration.

P V Piazza 1, S Maccari 1, J M Deminière 1, M Le Moal 1, P Mormède 1, H Simon 1
PMCID: PMC51174  PMID: 2006148

Abstract

Individual vulnerability to the reinforcing properties of drugs appears to be an essential characteristic predisposing humans to addiction. In animals, a greater behavioral reactivity to a mild stress, such as exposure to a novel environment, is an index of the vulnerability to acquire amphetamine self-administration. Biological responses to stress as well as behavioral reactivity may predict such a vulnerability. In the present study, rats with a longer duration of corticosterone secretion after exposure to novelty showed facilitation of acquisition of amphetamine self-administration. Furthermore, corticosterone administration in nonpredisposed individuals increased the reinforcing value of the drug and facilitated the acquisition of amphetamine self-administration. These results indicate that the stress-related activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis may play a role in the pathogenesis of psychostimulant addiction.

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Selected References

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