SKF 38393 reverses cocaine-conditioned place preference in mice

Cocaine is a psychotropic drug with a high potential for abuse due to its euphoric effects. Efforts to develop medications for the treatment of cocaine dependence have not been clinically successful. Some studies using animal models have shown positive effects of dopaminergic agents such as partial agonists of the dopamine D1 receptor. Thus, this study aimed to examine the effect of the dopamine D1 receptor partial agonist SKF 38393 on cocaine craving. Adult male C57BL/6J mice were injected with cocaine for 10 days in a conditioned place preference apparatus using a biased procedure and subsequently treated for three consecutive days with SKF 38393. The results showed that SKF 38393 was able to block the preference of cocaine-conditioned animals for the compartment paired with the drug without showing effects on locomotor activity. The results of this study suggest that partial activation of D1 dopamine receptors may be necessary for the development of pharmacotherapies for cocaine addiction.

► Cocaine is a psychotropic drug with a high potential for abuse.
► Efforts to develop medications for the treatment of cocaine dependence have not been clinically successful.
► SKF 38393 was able to block the preference of cocaine-conditioned place preference.
► The partial activation of D1 dopamine receptor is an essential mechanism for the treatment of cocaine dependence.