Orexin-1 receptor antagonist SB-334867 reduces the acquisition and expression of cocaine-conditioned reinforcement and the expression of amphetamine-conditioned reward.

Preclinical evidence suggests an important role of the brain orexin system in behaviours related to drug addiction. This study aimed at assessing the effect of the orexin-1 receptor antagonist SB-334867 on aspects of psychostimulant-conditioned behaviours that are thought to contribute to the maintenance of and relapse to psychostimulant drug use. Rats were first allowed to nose poke for cocaine infusions associated with a cue light presentation (conditioned stimulus; CS) over five daily sessions.