Selegiline modifies the extinction of responding following morphine self-administration, but does not alter cue-induced reinstatement, reacquisition of morphine reinforcement, or precipitated withdrawal

Selegiline is an irreversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase (MAO) with psychostimulant and neuroprotective effects which can prevent decreases in dopamine efflux that follow opiate withdrawal. The present study evaluated effects of selegiline treatment on morphine-seeking behavior and morphine reinforcement in Wistar rats (n = 26). In additional animals (n = 30), the ability of single doses of selegiline to modify naloxone-precipitated withdrawal was determined. After pretreatment with noncontingent morphine to establish opiate dependence, rats acquired self-administration of intravenous morphine. Daily intravenous treatment with saline or 2.0 mg kg−1 doses of selegiline was then initiated and continued over 14 days during extinction, reinstatement, and reacquisition of morphine self-administration. To reduce the potential for psychostimulant effects, selegiline was administered approximately 1 h following self-administration, extinction, or reinstatement sessions. In some animals (n = 23), effects of saline or selegiline administration on locomotor activity were determined following extinction sessions. Daily selegiline treatment decreased the number of ratios completed and increased response latency during extinction, without modifying these measures during reinstatement or reacquisition of morphine self-administration. Chronic selegiline treatment increased locomotor activity recorded between 4 and 7 h after selegiline administration on day 7 of extinction, but otherwise did not alter locomotor activity. Pretreatment with single, 2.0 mg kg−1 doses of selegiline did not modify naloxone-precipitated withdrawal. In conclusion, pretreatment with selegiline produced only a small decrease in responding during extinction of morphine self-administration and did not modify cue-induced reinstatement of morphine-seeking behavior, reacquisition or morphine reinforcement, or precipitated withdrawal.