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The effect of the adenosine A2A antagonist KW-6002 on motor and motivational processes in the rat

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Abstract

Rationale

It is well established that humans and rats respond to an imperative stimulus more rapidly as a function of the foreperiod preceding the target, and with this decrease in mean response time, there is also an increase in anticipatory (prior to the signal) responses. These changes reflect enhanced motor readiness. Also, reaction times are quicker when the cost of reward (amount of work required) is minimum. Antagonism of the adenosine A2A receptor has been shown to effect motor-related processes.

Objective

This study examined the behavioural effects of systemic administration of the adenosine A2A antagonist KW-6002 in a cued reaction time task in the rat. The purpose of this study is to ascertain whether KW-6002 would enhance motor readiness and effect performance as a function of reward cost.

Methods

Rats were trained on a visually cued reaction time task with variable foreperiods, and the effects of three doses of KW-6002 (0.3, 1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg systemically, compared to vehicle) were examined.

Results

Increasing doses of KW-6002 resulted in faster reaction times and an increase in the number of anticipatory responses. KW-6002 enhanced the foreperiod effect on reaction time distributions and anticipatory responses. In addition, KW-6002 had differential effects on performance between rewarded and unrewarded trials.

Conclusion

Antagonism of adenosine A2A receptors by systemic KW-6002 speeds reaction time and enhanced motor preparatory processes as well as interacting with motivational processes.

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Acknowledgement

Martin O’Neill is the recipient of a BBSRC CASE award and was sponsored by Vernalis Research Ltd., which supplied the experimental compound KW-6002. The authors would like to thank Mary Latimer and Dave S. Tait for their assistance in drug preparation and administration and the technical staff of the Animal House and Workshop of the School of Psychology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, University of St. Andrews, KY16 9JU, Scotland, UK

    Martin O’Neill & Verity J. Brown

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  1. Martin O’Neill
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  2. Verity J. Brown
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Correspondence to Verity J. Brown.

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O’Neill, M., Brown, V.J. The effect of the adenosine A2A antagonist KW-6002 on motor and motivational processes in the rat. Psychopharmacology 184, 46–55 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-005-0240-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-005-0240-z

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