Cocaine seeking by rats is a goal-directed action

(I)n two experiments rats were trained to self-administer intravenous cocai ne on chained schedules using different responses in the initial (drug-seek ing) and terminal (drug-taking) links. In both between(Experiment 1) and wi thin-subject designs (Experiment 2), the drug-taking response was then eith er extinguished or reinforced in the absence of the opportunity to perform the seeking response. In a subsequent extinction test with the seeking mani pulanda alone, the rate of drug seeking was reduced after the prior extinct ion of the associated taking response. An additional group trained with a s ucrose reinforcer showed a comparable devaluation effect, These findings de monstrate that seeking responses for cocaine and food rewards are mediated by a representation of the contingency between seeking responses and the op portunity to take the reward.