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Abstract
Nicotine and ethanol are frequently co-abused, yet the mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. This dissertation examined combined versus independent effects of nicotine and ethanol on locomotor stimulation, conditioned place preference (CPP), sensitization, and nicotinic receptor regulation in mice. Nicotine enhanced ethanol-induced stimulation in ethanol-sensitive genotypes but did not increase ethanol reward or alter nAChR density. Combined drug effects on sensitization were dose-dependent and context-specific. Additionally, varenicline, a partial nAChR agonist, attenuated ethanol-induced stimulation and expression of sensitization but not CPP, suggesting its potential to reduce acute and neuroadaptive ethanol effects without impacting cue-related behaviors.