Adolescent Rats Self-Administer Less Nicotine Than Adults at Low Doses

Conclusions:
These results demonstrate that adolescent rats are less sensitive than adults to the primary reinforcing effects of nicotine. However, at nicotine doses that support self-administration in both age groups, adolescent and adult rats do not differ in acquisition or number of infusions earned. These results suggest that reducing nicotine levels in cigarettes to a level that does not support smoking in adults may be sufficient to reduce the acquisition of smoking in adolescents.

Implications:
The results of the present studies demonstrate that adolescent rats are less sensitive than adults to the primary reinforcing effects of nicotine. These results suggest that reducing nicotine levels in cigarettes to a level that does not support smoking in adults will be sufficient to reduce the acquisition of smoking in adolescents.

Source: Nicotine and Tobacco Research - August 9, 2016 Category: Addiction Authors: Schassburger, R. L., Pitzer, E. M., Smith, T. T., Rupprecht, L. E., Thiels, E., Donny, E. C., Sved, A. F. Tags: Original Investigation Source Type: research