Neonatal ethanol exposure produces a hyperalgesia that extends into adolescence, and is associated with increased analgesic and rewarding properties of nicotine in rats

摘要

Drug exposure during CNS development may alter subsequent dependence liability. We postulated that early alcohol exposure might produce persistent alterations in responses to noxious stimuli. Because relief of physical discomfort may be negatively reinforcing, changes in responses to noxious stimuli produced by early alcohol exposure may increase the rewarding properties of nicotine, a potent analgesic. Such factors may contribute to the high level of alcohol and nicotine co-abuse in humans.