Effects of Escitalopram on Sign-Tracking

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Sign tracking is a phenomenon in organisms in which they are likely to approach a cue for appetitive stimuli. This behavior is important in drug addiction and likelihood of relapse. The aim of the current 32 study is to examine the sign tracking and goal tracking behaviors of rats when different doses of Escitalopram are administered to them. We hypothesize that sign tracking behaviors will decrease when Escitalopram is administered. Subjects are 31 male Sprague Dawley rats. Sign and goal tracking behaviors are measured using operant chambers. Upon analyzing the data with a repeated measures ANOVA, we found that among the strongest sign trackers, administration of escitalopram reduced their sign tracking as hypothesized. Implications of these findings can be applied to drug addiction rehabilitation and relapse in humans. Further research needs to be done, but SSRIs may be an effective adjunctive treatment for drug addiction.