Genetic variation in heroin-induced changes in behaviour: effects of B6 strain dose on conditioned reward and locomotor sensitization in 129-B6 hybrid mice

Genes Brain Behav. 2005 Jul;4(5):324-36. doi: 10.1111/j.1601-183X.2004.00111.x.

Abstract

Substantial interindividual variability exists in the propensity to develop opiate addiction. Genetic variation in opiate reward may contribute to this variability. A large body of evidence indicates genetic variation in mice for several effects of opiate drugs. The present study examined heroin-induced place conditioning and locomotor sensitization in the two strains of mice employed most frequently in the generation of transgenic animals, C57BL/6J (B6) and 129X1/sVJ (129), as well as in groups of B6-129 hybrid mice, differing in their amount of B6 genetic background. Four pairings of 100 microg/kg of heroin elicited robust place conditioning and locomotor sensitization in B6 controls and in N(10) congenic B6-129 hybrid mice. In comparison, the identical treatment produced no locomotor sensitization and induced place aversion in 129 controls. No heroin-induced changes in the behaviour of N(3) congenic B6-129 hybrid mice or F5-8 non-congenic B6-129 hybrid mice were observed. The expression of place conditioning was not facilitated in any group by the administration of a heroin-priming injection prior to testing. These data indicate that genetic variation exists in mice for the rewarding and locomotor-sensitizing effects of heroin and that the capacity of heroin to induce conditioned reward and locomotor sensitization can be modulated in a B6 strain dose-dependent manner in B6-129 hybrid mice. Thus, strain differences in heroin responsiveness should be considered when examining transgenic lines on B6-129 backgrounds for opiate-induced changes in behaviour that may be relevant for addiction.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Behavior, Animal / physiology
  • Conditioning, Psychological / drug effects*
  • Conditioning, Psychological / physiology
  • Environment
  • Female
  • Gene Dosage*
  • Genetics, Behavioral
  • Heroin / pharmacology*
  • Hybridization, Genetic / genetics*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Reinforcement, Psychology*
  • Species Specificity

Substances

  • Heroin