Volitional oral intake of nicotine in tupaias: drug-induced alterations

Abstract

Non-deprived, unstressed tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri) preferred nicotine solution (10 mg/l nicotine tartrate) over water in a free-choice situation. This drug-taking behaviour was stable over 14 months. Several drugs, most of which known to attenuate ethanol consumption in other species, in doses that did not alter locomotive behavior, significantly reduced the volitional nicotine intake in tupaias.