Modafinil decreases cocaine choice in human cocaine smokers only when the response requirement and the alternative reinforcer magnitude are large

This study examined how response effort (pressing a keyboard button) for cocaine and the value of an alternative reinforcer (opportunity to play a game of chance for money) combined with 'free' cocaine (with no response effort) affected cocaine choice when participants were maintained on modafinil or placebo. Nontreatment-seeking current cocaine smokers were enrolled in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, within-subject study comprising both inpatient and outpatient phases. Participants were maintained on placebo capsules (0 mg/day) during one inpatient phase and modafinil (300 mg/day) capsules during another inpatient phase in counter-balanced order. A minimum of 8 medication-free days separated the two 15-day inpatient phases to allow for medication clearance. Under each medication condition participants had the opportunity to self-administer smoked cocaine (25 mg) when the response effort for cocaine was low (500 responses/dose) and had a low value alternative (2 game plays for money) or when the response effort for cocaine was large (2500 responses/dose) and had a more valuable alternative (4 game plays for money). Under both conditions, participants received one free dose of cocaine (0, 12, 25 or 50 mg) prior to making their first choice of the session. Fifteen individuals began the study and 7 completed it. Participants chose fewer cocaine doses when the response effort for cocaine and the alternative value was high (4.4 ± 0.19) compared to when the response effort for cocaine and the alternative value was low (5.3 ± 0.14). Providing individuals a free “priming” dose of cocaine prior to making their cocaine choice did not alter cocaine taking. Modafinil decreased cocaine choice only when the response effort for cocaine and the alternative value was high. These results suggest that modafinil may be most effective when combined with therapy emphasizing the large personal costs of using cocaine.