Biomaterial Database

Drug self-administration methods in abuse liability evaluation. 1991

J E Henningfield, and C Cohen, and S J Heishman

Clinical Pharmacology Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD 21224.

The human drug self-administration paradigm is an extension of the animal model developed in the 1960s. The paradigm can be used to investigate the determinants and correlates of drug-seeking and drug-taking behavior and has proven useful in the development of medications for treating drug dependence. This paper describes the basic components of the human self-administration model and discusses studies that illustrate some of its applications, including assessment of the reinforcing effects of drugs, analysis of behavioral and pharmacological mechanisms of drug self-administration and measurement of the abuse liability, behavioral toxicity, and aversive effects of drugs. Some of the strengths and limitations of using the paradigm with human research subjects are also presented. It is concluded that the drug self-administration model should not replace other measures of abuse liability testing in humans, but should be incorporated into comprehensive programs of drug abuse assessment wherever possible.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011619	Psychotropic Drugs	A loosely defined grouping of drugs that have effects on psychological function. Here the psychotropic agents include the antidepressive agents, hallucinogens, and tranquilizing agents (including the antipsychotics and anti-anxiety agents).	Psychoactive Agent,Psychoactive Agents,Psychoactive Drug,Psychopharmaceutical,Psychopharmaceuticals,Psychotropic Drug,Psychoactive Drugs,Agent, Psychoactive,Agents, Psychoactive,Drug, Psychoactive,Drug, Psychotropic,Drugs, Psychoactive,Drugs, Psychotropic
D004341	Drug Evaluation	Any process by which toxicity, metabolism, absorption, elimination, preferred route of administration, safe dosage range, etc., for a drug or group of drugs is determined through clinical assessment in humans or veterinary animals.	Evaluation Studies, Drug,Drug Evaluation Studies,Drug Evaluation Study,Drug Evaluations,Evaluation Study, Drug,Evaluation, Drug,Evaluations, Drug,Studies, Drug Evaluation,Study, Drug Evaluation
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012307	Risk Factors	An aspect of personal behavior or lifestyle, environmental exposure, inborn or inherited characteristic, which, based on epidemiological evidence, is known to be associated with a health-related condition considered important to prevent.	Health Correlates,Risk Factor Scores,Risk Scores,Social Risk Factors,Population at Risk,Populations at Risk,Correlates, Health,Factor, Risk,Factor, Social Risk,Factors, Social Risk,Risk Factor,Risk Factor Score,Risk Factor, Social,Risk Factors, Social,Risk Score,Score, Risk,Score, Risk Factor,Social Risk Factor
D012646	Self Administration	Administration of a drug or chemical by the individual under the direction of a physician. It includes administration clinically or experimentally, by human or animal.	Administration, Self,Administrations, Self,Self Administrations
D019966	Substance-Related Disorders	Disorders related to substance use or abuse.	Chemical Dependence,Drug Abuse,Drug Addiction,Drug Dependence,Drug Habituation,Drug Use Disorder,Drug Use Disorders,Organic Mental Disorders, Substance-Induced,Substance Abuse,Substance Dependence,Substance Related Disorder,Substance Use,Substance Use Disorder,Substance Use Disorders,Prescription Drug Abuse,Substance Addiction,Abuse, Drug,Abuse, Prescription Drug,Abuse, Substance,Addiction, Drug,Addiction, Substance,Chemical Dependences,Dependence, Chemical,Dependence, Drug,Dependence, Substance,Dependences, Chemical,Disorder, Drug Use,Disorder, Substance Related,Disorder, Substance Use,Disorders, Substance Related,Drug Abuse, Prescription,Habituation, Drug,Organic Mental Disorders, Substance Induced,Related Disorder, Substance,Related Disorders, Substance,Substance Abuses,Substance Uses,Use, Substance