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Operant place conditioning measures examined using morphine reinforcement.
1Department of Psychology, University of Mississippi 38677.
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
|April 11, 1992
Summary
A novel place conditioning method in rats, using drug administration after chamber entry, effectively assesses drug reinforcement. This approach proved more sensitive than traditional methods, requiring less exposure time for significant results.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Conditioned place preference (CPP) is a standard method for assessing drug reinforcement in animal models.
- CPP typically involves prolonged exposure of animals to drug-associated environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a new place conditioning procedure based on drug administration following chamber entry.
- To compare the efficacy of this new method against traditional CPP.
Main Methods:
- Rats were trained using a procedure where drug administration (intravenous morphine) followed chamber entry.
- Behavioral measures included time spent in chambers, discrete-trial choices, and latencies of chamber entry.
- These measures were compared to those obtained from traditional CPP.
Main Results:
- The new procedure, particularly choice and latency measures, demonstrated greater sensitivity to drug reinforcement effects compared to time spent in the chamber.
- Placement training showed significant differences and choices in most groups, though overall less effective than operant conditioning.
- The study found that lengthy chamber exposures, typical in CPP, were not necessary with this new method.
Conclusions:
- The new place conditioning procedure offers a potentially more efficient and sensitive method for assessing drug reinforcement.
- This method reduces the required exposure time, making it a valuable alternative to traditional CPP.
- Further research can explore its application with various drugs and experimental designs.