Behavioral pharmacology of cocaine.

Data from an ongoing prospective investigation evaluating the suicide risk in patients with major affective disorders have identified several heretofore unrecognized factors as highly correlated with early suicide.

Abstract

Laboratory data suggest that animals self-administer cocaine in patterns similar to those seen in humans. Conditions of availability and species are relatively unimportant determinants of cocaine self-administration. Furthermore, studies have shown that animals will continue to self-administer the drug, even in the face of severe toxic side effects. The data indicate that cocaine is a potent reinforcer with significant abuse liability. The animal self-administration model and laboratory data concerning self-administration in humans show cross-species generality and provide useful information about cocaine's behavioral mechanisms of action.