Associations between sensation seeking and d-amphetamine reinforcement.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

While many individuals experiment with stimulants, only a subset transition to abuse or dependence. One characteristic widely associated with stimulant abuse vulnerability in general is sensation seeking (SS), though less clear is how individuals' baseline SS may predict their response to acute stimulant administration.

METHODS

In this secondary analysis, we examined associations between SS and d-AMPH choice and subjective response among healthy male (n = 16) and female (n = 21) adults participating in an outpatient laboratory study wherein they received repeated opportunities to sample and choose between d-AMPH (5, 10, and 20 mg/70 kg) and placebo.

RESULTS

Among males, elevated baseline SS was associated with increased d-AMPH choice and positive subjective effects at 5 and 10 mg/70 kg doses. Among females, there were no significant associations between SS and d-AMPH choice or subjective effects.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Elevated SS in males may be associated with increased sensitivity to d-AMPH reinforcement and positive subjective effects. Data from this study suggest that SS may not predict sensitivity to stimulants in females, though future studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to answer this definitively.

SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE

Sensation seeking may reflect an important characteristic underlying sensitivity to stimulant reinforcement. Efforts to better understand these individual differences would inform efforts to identify and intervene with those at risk for developing abuse or dependence.