Cocaine administration has been shown to produce immediate positive (rewarding) and subsequent negative (anxiogenic) effects in humans and animals. These dual and opposing affective responses have been more difficult to demonstrate with administration of methamphetamine (meth). While animal studies have reliably demonstrated the positive reinforcing effects of the drug, reports of negative aftereffects following acute exposure have been few in number and contradictory in nature. The current research was devised to assess the effects of acute meth using a runway model of self-administration that is uniquely sensitive to both the positive and negative effects of a drug reinforcer in the same animal on the same trial. Male rats were allowed to traverse a straight alley once a day for 16 consecutive days/trials where entry into the goal box resulted in a single IV injection of meth (0.25, 0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg/inj.). The chosen doses were confirmed to be psychoactive as they produced dose-dependent increases in motoric/locomotor activation in these same subjects. The results demonstrated a U-shaped dose-response curve for the reinforcing effects of meth in that the intermediate dose group (0.5 mg/kg) produced the strongest approach behavior in the runway. Unlike other psychomotor stimulants, like cocaine, animals running for IV meth exhibited no evidence of any significant approach-avoidance behaviors reflective of the drug's negative anxiogenic effects. These results suggest that the abuse potential for meth is likely higher than for other shorter-acting psychomotor stimulants and reaffirms the utility of the runway procedure as a screen for a substance's abuse potential.
Older adults with low incomes experience disproportionate rates of cognitive and functional impairment and an elevated risk for nursing home admission. Home health aides (HHAs) can help older adults to age in place by optimizing function and engaging them in routine physical activity. Despite this potential role, little is known about HHAs’ perspectives on how to facilitate aging in place for this population. We conducted 6 focus groups with 21 English-speaking and 10 Spanish-speaking HHAs working in Philadelphia and New Jersey. Transcripts were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis. HHAs described wearing multiple hats and pushing the boundaries of their role as a HHA to provide a “comfortable and safe” environment through nursing and emotional support. Many HHAs shared that they serve as surrogate family, often spending more time in clients’ homes than family members or other healthcare providers. This unique position provides HHAs with valuable insights into clients’ changing health which allows them to detect early warning signs of clients’ functional and cognitive decline, including falls, depression, and confusion. HHAs noted several factors that worsened clients’ decline including a lack of adaptive equipment, social isolation, and limited HHA input into clients’ care plans. They also pointed to factors that facilitated clients’ aging in place, including utilization of community-based services, family support, and communication between healthcare team members. Our findings suggest that HHAs have important insights into improving aging in place for older adults with low incomes and should be incorporated into care planning and intervention delivery.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.