Self-administration of fentanyl, cocaine and ketamine: effects on the pituitary–adrenal axis in rhesus monkeys

Abstract

Drugs of abuse can affect the functioning of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. Acute administration of drugs that serve as reinforcers have been observed to stimulate the rat HPA axis, leading to the suggestion that these stimulatory effects may contribute to the development of drug-maintained behaviors.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/46362/1/213_2004_Article_1891.pd