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Time course for the effects of cocaine on fixed-ratio water-reinforced responding in rats

  • Original Investigations
  • Animal Studies
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Abstract

Four male rats performed during 35-min sessions under a schedule that arranged water delivery (0.04 ml) after every fortieth response. Cocaine (1.0–16.0 mg per rat, i.p.) was administered 15 min, 30 min, 60 min or 120 min prior to a session. When given 15 min prior to a session, cocaine (1.0–8.0 mg) in all rats produced dose-related decreases in responding. The largest dose, when given 15 min pre-session to two rats, almost completely suppressed responding. Lengthening the time between drug injection and test session attenuated the rate-decreasing effects of cocaine (1.0–8.0 mg), but did not affect the almost complete suppression of performance seen with the largest dose. Small doses (1.0–4.0 mg) had no effect on the pause in responding that occurred after water delivery. The 8.0-mg dose lengthened the pause by approximately 9000% and 650% when given 15 and 30 min prior to a session, respectively, but by less than 50% when given 60 or 120 min pre-session. Cocaine effects depend on the dose as well as the time of its administration prior to testing.

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This research was supported by USPHS Grants MH-11, 191 and RO1-MH-22,971.

Supported by USPHS Training Grant MH-07083.

Supported by Research Scientist Development Award, 5-KO2-MH 10,562.

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Macphail, R.C., Seiden, L.S. Time course for the effects of cocaine on fixed-ratio water-reinforced responding in rats. Psychopharmacologia 44, 1–4 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00421174

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00421174

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