Repeated aripiprazole administration attenuates cocaine seeking in a rat model of relapse

Rationale Aripiprazole (Abilify) is an atypical antipsychotic drug characterized by partial agonist activity at dopamine (DA) D2/D3 receptors and a low side-effect profile. While we previously demonstrated that acute aripiprazole blocked the reinstatement of cocaine seeking in an animal model of relapse, clinical treatment of relapse prevention necessitates testing the effects of aripiprazole following prolonged abstinence, as well as after repeated administration during withdrawal from cocaine.