A large number of volatile inhalants are deliberately inhaled, presumably for their intoxicating effects. Few studies, though, have systematically examined the behavioral effects of inhalants which are related to their abuse. A series of experiments are proposed in this application to examine the subjective and reinforcing (rewarding) effects of a commonly-abused inhalant, nitrous oxide, in healthy volunteers. In the first study, the mood-altering and psychomotor effects of several subanesthetic concentrations of nitrous oxide will be tested in healthy volunteers. In the second study, a preference procedure will be used to assess the reinforcing effects of nitrous oxide: subjects will inhale nitrous oxide and oxygen during sampling sessions, and then during subsequent choice sessions will choose which agent to inhale. In the third study, healthy volunteers will inhale subanesthetic concentrations of nitrous oxide, isoflurane and enflurane in order to determine if these inhaled general anesthetics have a similar spectrum of subjective effects. In the fourth and fifth studies, the subjective effects of nitrous oxide will be compared to CNS depressants and opiates - data form other behavioral preparations suggest that nitrous oxide, barbiturates, ethanol, and opiates may share a common spectrum of subjective effects. These studies will serve as an initial step in developing a model for studying the behavioral effects of inhalants which contribute to their abuse.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
5R03DA007103-02
Application #
3424184
Study Section
Drug Abuse Clinical and Behavioral Research Review Committee (DACB)
Project Start
1991-07-01
Project End
1993-06-30
Budget Start
1992-07-01
Budget End
1993-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1992
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Chicago
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
225410919
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60637
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Zacny, J P; Coalson, D W; Lichtor, J L et al. (1994) Effects of naloxone on the subjective and psychomotor effects of nitrous oxide in humans. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 49:573-8
Zacny, J P; Sparacino, G; Hoffmann, P et al. (1994) The subjective, behavioral and cognitive effects of subanesthetic concentrations of isoflurane and nitrous oxide in healthy volunteers. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 114:409-16
Dohrn, C S; Lichtor, J L; Coalson, D W et al. (1993) Reinforcing effects of extended inhalation of nitrous oxide in humans. Drug Alcohol Depend 31:265-80
Dohrn, C S; Lichtor, J L; Coalson, D W et al. (1993) Reinforcing effects of extended inhalation of a low nitrous oxide concentration in humans. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 46:927-32