Operant self ‐administration of pregabalin in a mouse model of neuropathic pain

ConclusionsPregabalin showed reinforcing effects both in PSNL and sham‐operated mice and attenuated the nociceptive and emotional manifestations of neuropathic pain in mice self‐administering this drug. Therefore, pregabalin self‐administration was related to neuropathic pain relief, but also to reinforcing properties related to psychotropic drug effects. This study reveals the improvement in nociceptive and emotional manifestations of neuropathic pain after operant pregabalin self‐medication in mice and suggests the reinforcing effects of this drug in an operant paradigm. SignificanceThis study shows that mice with a nerve injury self‐administer pregabalin at doses effective reducing nociceptive hypersensitivity and depressive‐like behaviour associated with the neuropathic pain model. Interestingly, mice without neuropathy also develop operant self‐administration behaviour, suggesting potential abuse liability of this first‐line drug for neuropathic pain treatment.
Source: European Journal of Pain - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research