European journal of pain : EJP
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Pregabalin is a first-line agent for neuropathic pain treatment whose abuse liability remains controversial. Surprisingly, studies exploring the reinforcing properties of pregabalin in operant mouse models are missing. ⋯ This study shows that mice with a nerve injury self-administer pregabalin at doses effective reducing nociceptive hypersensitivity and depressive-like behaviour associated with the neuropathic pain model. Interestingly, mice without neuropathy also develop operant self-administration behaviour, suggesting potential abuse liability of this first-line drug for neuropathic pain treatment.