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Female Rats Display Higher Methamphetamine-Primed Reinstatement And C-Fos Immunoreactivity Than Male Rats, Steven T. Pittenger, Shinnyi Chou, Nathan J. Murawski, Scott T. Barrett, Olivia Loh, Juan F. Duque, Ming Li, Rick A. Bevins

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Methamphetamine (meth) dependence is often characterized by persistent and chronic relapse (i.e., return to drug use). Previous work suggests females may be at greater risk to relapse. In this study, we extended this limited evidence and identified sex-dependent neural substrates related to meth-triggered reinstatement. Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with indwelling jugular catheters. Half of the rats were then trained to self-administer meth (0.05 mg/kg/inf); the other half self-administered saline during 21 daily sessions (2 h). Rats were then given 12 extinction sessions. Twenty-four hours after the last extinction session, rats received reinstatement testing. Half of the rats …