| Co morbid substance use and eating disorders are prevalent and a common underlying vulnerability to develop addictions may predispose individuals to display excessive behaviors directed towards a variety of highly incentive stimuli. Non food restricted male Sprague Dawley rats conditioned identically displayed either a significant preference (P) or no preference (nP) for a compartment paired with the consumption of Oreo cookies. In cocaine self-administration, extinction, and reinstatement, P rats responded more during extinction and reinstatement precipitated by consuming Oreos and cocaine prime. P rats also achieved higher break-points when tested on a progressive ratio. These results did not fully generalize to foods low in sugar and fat. These results suggest that there may be significant individual differences in incentive learning which are best revealed when learning about highly motivating stimuli. Thus, greater incentive learning may be a shared predisposition for developing addictions for drugs of abuse and highly palatable foods. |
