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Alterations by centrally acting drugs of the suppression of self-stimulation behavior in the rat by tetrabenazine, physostigmine, chlorpromazine and pentobarbital

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Abstract

The effects of pre-treatment (32 min) with d-amphetamine (2 mg/kg), scopolamine (0.5 mg/kg), and chlordiazepoxide (5 mg/kg) were studied on the suppression of self-stimulation behavior in the male albino rat by central depressants. The antagonism of each compound was determined against the suppressant action of tetrabenazine (2 mg/kg), physostigmine (0.1 mg/kg), chlorpromazine (2.5 mg/kg) and pentobarbital sodium (10 mg/kg).

Against the suppression produced by tetrabenazine, only d-amphetamine gave partial protection throughout the test. Scopolamine and chlordiazepoxide had a transient delaying action. Against the suppressant effect of chlorpromazine, protection was given by d-amphetamine, scopolamine and chlordiazepoxide.

Against physostigmine, scopolamine gave full protection, d-amphetamine partial protection, and chlordiazepoxide was without effect.

Against the effect of pentobarbital on self-stimulation behavior, there was no protection by d-amphetamine and scopolamine when the animal showed motor deficits, and a stimulant action when these had worn off, but the rates of responding were still depressed. Chlordiazepoxide potentiated the action of pentobarbital.

These results are interpreted in terms of a short-run stimulant action on depressed rates of responding, and a longer-run protective action against changes produced by the compounds suppressing self-stimulation behavior in levels of transmitter-like substances.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, 91109, Pasadena, California, USA

    M. E. Olds

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  1. M. E. Olds
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Supported by grant MH-16978, U. S. Public Health Service.

The author is indebted to Mrs. S. Foster and Mrs. H. Cevallos for technical assistance.

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Olds, M.E. Alterations by centrally acting drugs of the suppression of self-stimulation behavior in the rat by tetrabenazine, physostigmine, chlorpromazine and pentobarbital. Psychopharmacologia 25, 299–314 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00421969

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00421969

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