ISSN:
1432-2072
Keywords:
Antidepressant drugs
;
Electroconvulsive shock
;
Behavioral screen
;
DRL schedule of reinforcement
;
Trazodone
;
Zimelidine
;
Fluoxetine
;
Bupropion
;
Clozapine
;
Haloperidol
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Those antidepressant drugs that are, in wide clinical use decrease response rate and increase reinforcement rate when administered to rats performing on a differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate 72-s (DRL 72-s) schedule. Drugs that are not antidepressants do not have this effect. In this experiment, the following were examined for their effects on a DRL 72-s schedule: tranzodone, zimelidine, fluoxetine, and bupropion (atypical antidepressants); electroconvulsive shock (ECS, which is an effective treatment for depression); and haloperidol and clozapine (antipsychotic drugs). Trazodone (3.12–25.00 mg/kg), fluoxetine (10–20 mg/kg), and ECS decreased response rate and increased reinforcement rate. Zimelidine (20 mg/kg) increased reinforcement rate and nonsignificantly decreased response rate. At doses between 2.5 and 40 mg/kg, bupropion had no effect on reinforcement rate or response rate, but at 60 mg/kg response rate was increased and reinforcement rate was nonsignificantly decreased. At the higher dose, the effects of bupropion resemble those of a psychomotor stimulant. Haloperidol (0.04 mg/kg) and clozapine (2.5–10.0 mg/kg) decreased response rate and reinforcement rate. These results, suggest that the DRL 72-s schedule may be useful for testing the antidepressant potential of new drugs.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00431684
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