Cocaethylene produces conditioned place preference in rats.

The ability of cocaethylene to produce either a conditioned place preference or a conditioned place aversion was tested in rats. Twelve male rats were administered 10 mg/kg cocaethylene and confined to their nonpreferred side of the conditioned place preference apparatus as determined on a baseline test day. Subsequently, these rats spent a greater amount of time in that cocaethylene-paired nonpreferred side when later tested in a drug-free state. In contrast, rats conditioned with the same dose of cocaethylene and confined in their preferred side, as well as other rats treated with saline on both sides, did not show a significant shift in their preference or aversion. Results are discussed in light of the rewarding activity of cocaethylene, a compound formed in humans who concurrently use cocaine and ethanol.