Effects of heroin on lever pressing for intracranial self-stimulation, food and water in the rat.

Male rats maintained with continuous access to levers for intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS), water, and food were subjected to five consecutive daily injections of heroin (5 mg/kg). Rates of lever pressing for ICSS were increased in 8 rats, 2--6 hrs after administration of heroin. Rates of lever pressing for water and food were not significantly changes during this period. Naloxone (5 mg/kg) pretreatment attenuated by 82% the facilitative effect of heroin on ICSS. A second group of 8 rats maintained at reduced ICSS rates failed to show an increase in lever pressing for ICSS with heroin. The facilitative effect of heroin described in this study is consistent with previously reported studies describing the effects of morphine on ICSS.