Assessment of Tobacco Constituent Pharmacology and Behavior in Nonclinical Models: Determination of Behaviorally Effective Tobacco Constituent Doses in Rodents
Principal Investigator: Kia Jackson
Funding Mechanism: Research Contract
ID number: HHSF223201310034I
Award Date: 9/30/2013
Institution: RTI
Although nicotine is the primary addictive constituent in tobacco, studies indicate that tobacco contains additional non-nicotine constituents that may have addictive potential. These constituents include, but are not limited to, anatabine, cotinine, and myosmine. Because no previous studies have evaluated these compounds in nonclinical models, the goal of this project is to define behaviorally active doses of anatabine, cotinine, and myosmine. Investigators will test five doses of continine, anatabine, and myosmine in adult rodents using a locomotor activity protocol to establish dose response curves for each constituent. Study aims are: (1) to characterize dose response curves for the non-nicotine tobacco constituents anatabine, cotinine, and myosmine; and (2) to use these dose response curves to determine relevant constituent doses for subsequent studies of abuse liability in rodents. Once behaviorally active doses have been established, these doses can be used in future behavioral pharmacology studies; furthermore, information on non-nicotinic tobacco constituents may help inform FDA product review and regulation.