ISSN:
1432-2072
Keywords:
Operant Conditioning
;
Amphetamine
;
Animal Behaviour
;
Stereotypy
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Two experiments were performed in rats, using operant conditioning techniques and various dose levels of d-amphetamine. Repeated sessions with drugs occurred at intervals of at least four days and were interspersed with saline or non-injection control sessions so that results from each animal could be compared with its own control data. Each animal was tested on one of two schedules of reinforcement, both of which used termination of electric shock as the principle response-contingent event. In the first schedule (Av-R), each lever-press in the presence of shock was followed by a period of no-shock and each subsequent lever-press within this no-shock period further delayed the onset of shock. In the second schedule (Av-H), the shock was off only as long as the animal held the lever in a depressed position and leverrelease was immediately followed by shock. At 1.0 mg/kg d-amphetamine, total avoidance of shock, as compared with control sessions, was increased on the Av-R schedule, but deteriorated on the Av-H schedule, in both cases due to increased lever-pressing (and releasing). At higher doses of 3.0–5.0 mg/kg, shock avoidance responding on the Av-R schedule was even higher in some animals but decreased or disappeared in others, while holding activity on the Av-H schedule was practically unaffected except in very long sessions. Recording of other bodily activities during these sessions revealed dose-related elements of response perseveration and behavioural stereotypy which could be more effectively blended with Av-R responding at low doses and with Av-H responding at higher doses. These results were discussed in relation to the operant conditioning literature on behavioural effects of amphetamine and a theoretical link was suggested between increasingly stereotyped behaviour due to the drug effect and the type of responding seen in the two schedules tested here.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00406736
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