Choice of nitrous oxide and its subjective effects in light and moderate drinkers.
James P Zacny, Diana J Walker, Lindsay M Derus
Drug and alcohol dependence November 1, 2008 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2008.06.001 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractModerate drinkers chose to inhale nitrous oxide significantly more often than placebo and more often than light drinkers did. At 20% and 30% concentrations, moderate drinkers also reported stronger abuse-liability-related subjective effects. The findings provide more conclusive evidence that alcohol-drinking status modulates both the choice and subjective effects of nitrous oxide.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Experimental study with within-subjects sampling and choice procedure Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 32 |
| Population | Moderate drinkers and light drinkers |
| Intervention | Nitrous oxide |
| Dose | 0, 20, 30, and 40% concentrations |
| Duration | Four 3.5-hour sessions |
| Key finding | Moderate drinkers chose nitrous oxide significantly more times than placebo and more times than light drinkers, and reported greater abuse-liability-related subjective effects at 20% and 30% concentrations. |
Abstract
Alcohol-drinking status has been shown to modulate the reinforcing and subjective effects of a number of drugs. We have previously published two studies on the modulating effects of alcohol-drinking status on choice for, and subjective effects of, nitrous oxide, but the results were equivocal. Using a methodology different from our previous studies, we sought to determine in a more definitive fashion the degree to which the choice of nitrous oxide and its subjective effects were modulated by drinking status. Four concentrations of nitrous oxide (0, 20, 30, and 40%) were administered to 16 moderate drinkers (MDs) and 16 light drinkers (LDs) across four 3.5-h sessions. During experimental sessions, subjects first completed two 10-min sampling trials in which one of the nitrous oxide concentrations and placebo (100% oxygen) were inhaled. Subjective and psychomotor tests were given 5min into each sampling trial. During the subsequent choice period, subjects were allowed to choose what they wanted to inhale (drug, placebo, or "drug-free air") on nine contiguous 5-min choice trials. Choice of nitrous oxide was modulated by drinking status: MDs but not LDs chose nitrous oxide significantly more times than placebo, and MDs also chose nitrous oxide significantly more times than did LDs. At each active nitrous oxide concentration, MDs reported more abuse liability-related subjective effects, especially at the 20% and 30% concentrations. The results of the present study provide more conclusive evidence that choice as well as subjective effects of nitrous oxide is modulated by alcohol-drinking status.