Gamma-vinyl GABA (GVG) blocks expression of the conditioned place preference response to heroin in rats

We examined the effect of gamma-vinyl GABA (GVG) on the expression of the c onditioned place preference response to intraperitoneally (i.p.) administer ed heroin in rats. Heroin, but not vehicle, produced a significant conditio ned place preference response. Pretreatment of animals with 300 mg/kg of GV G significantly attenuated the expression of the heroin-induced conditioned place preference response. These results are the first to suggest that sys temic GVG may provide an effective alternative to methadone maintenance in the treatment of heroin addiction, since it is without abuse potential and can be used for treatment outside an institutional setting. Synapse 41: 219 -220,2001. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.