The dual abuse of cocaine and heroin (commonly called """"""""speedballs"""""""") is a pernicious form of drug addiction that has increased worldwide along with the increased availability of cocaine and heroin. Speedball abusers show a higher rate of failure in treatment, a greater incidence of psychopathology, and increased risk of HIV infection compared to abusers of the individual drugs. Despite the prevalence and detrimental consequences of speedball abuse, comparatively little is known about its neuropharmacological basis or treatment. Our previous research using nonhuman primate models of the subjective and reinforcing effects of drugs has revealed a distinctive pattern of interactions between cocaine and heroin, which appears to be mediated via mu and delta opioid and D1-like and D2-like dopamine receptor mechanisms. Our proposed research will build on these findings by investigating the role of specific receptor subtypes within these receptor families. In rhesus monkeys trained to discriminate IV cocaine from vehicle or to self-administer IV cocaine under a modified progressive-ratio schedule, we will use selective agonists and antagonists to investigate the contribution of subtypes of mu and delta receptors in heroin-induced enhancement of the discriminative stimulus and reinforcing effects of cocaine. In rhesus monkeys trained to discriminate IV heroin from vehicle or to self-administer IV heroin under a modified progressive-ratio schedule, we will use a similar strategy to investigate the contribution of D1-like and subtypes of D2-like receptors in cocaine-induced attenuation of the discriminative stimulus effects of heroin and cocaine-induced enhancement of the reinforcing effects of heroin. Quantitative pharmacological analyses, including in vivo apparent pA2 and isobolographic analysis, along with a novel behavioral economic model termed labor-supply will provide an objective framework for interpretation of drug interactions. The results of our proposed research will provide needed information about neuropharmacological mechanisms underlying speedball addiction and potential targets for medication development.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01DA011928-06
Application #
6678378
Study Section
Biobehavioral and Behavioral Processes 3 (BBBP)
Program Officer
Lynch, Minda
Project Start
1998-08-01
Project End
2008-06-30
Budget Start
2003-08-01
Budget End
2004-06-30
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$338,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Harvard University
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
047006379
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115
Platt, Donna M; Rowlett, James K; Spealman, Roger D (2010) Asymmetric generalization and interaction profiles in rhesus monkeys discriminating intravenous cocaine or intravenous heroin from vehicle. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 332:985-95
RĂ¼edi-Bettschen, Daniela; Rowlett, James K; Spealman, Roger D et al. (2010) Attenuation of cocaine-induced reinstatement of drug seeking in squirrel monkeys: kappa opioid and serotonergic mechanisms. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 210:169-77
Xu, Tai-Xiang; Sotnikova, Tatyana D; Liang, Chengyu et al. (2009) Hyperdopaminergic tone erodes prefrontal long-term potential via a D2 receptor-operated protein phosphatase gate. J Neurosci 29:14086-99
Achat-Mendes, Cindy; Valdez, Glenn R; Platt, Donna M et al. (2009) Intravenous self-administration of etonitazene alone and combined with cocaine in rhesus monkeys: comparison with heroin and antagonism by naltrexone and naloxonazine. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 204:489-98
Yao, Wei-Dong; Spealman, Roger D; Zhang, Jingping (2008) Dopaminergic signaling in dendritic spines. Biochem Pharmacol 75:2055-69
Haney, Margaret; Spealman, Roger (2008) Controversies in translational research: drug self-administration. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 199:403-19
Rowlett, James K; Platt, Donna M; Yao, Wei-Dong et al. (2007) Modulation of heroin and cocaine self-administration by dopamine D1- and D2-like receptor agonists in rhesus monkeys. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 321:1135-43
Rowlett, James K (2005) Getting back to basics: commentary on McSweeney, Murphy, and Kowal (2005). Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 13:187-9; discussion 194-9
Rowlett, James K; Rodefer, Joshua S; Spealman, Roger D (2005) Self-Administration of cocaine-opioid combinations by rhesus monkeys: evaluation of the role of mu receptor efficacy using labor supply analysis. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 312:1289-97
Platt, Donna M; Rowlett, James K; Izenwasser, Sari et al. (2004) Opioid partial agonist effects of 3-O-methylnaltrexone in rhesus monkeys. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 308:1030-9

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