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Drug discrimination using a conditioned taste-aversion paradigm in rhesus monkeys
J R Glowa1, R D Jeffreys, A L Riley
1Biopsychology Unit, NIMH, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|September 1, 1991
Summary
Drug stimuli from post-session injections rapidly controlled behavior in rhesus monkeys. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of conditioned taste aversion for assessing drug discrimination, suggesting broader applications.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The conditioned taste-aversion paradigm is a valuable tool for studying drug discrimination.
- Understanding how drug stimuli influence behavior is crucial for addiction research and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the development of drug discrimination in rhesus monkeys using a conditioned taste-aversion paradigm.
- To investigate the control of behavior by drug stimuli associated with post-session injections.
Main Methods:
- Rhesus monkeys were trained on a food-pellet reinforcement schedule to evaluate alprazolam's rate-decreasing effects.
- Drug discrimination was assessed by pairing alprazolam (0.03 mg/kg) with lithium chloride (1.8 mEq/kg) or saline injections post-session.
- Subsequent sessions paired alprazolam (0.1 mg/kg) with d-amphetamine (1 mg/kg) post-session to further assess discriminative stimulus effects.
Main Results:
- Alprazolam decreased responding at doses above 0.1 mg/kg.
- Behavioral responding decreased during sessions pairing alprazolam with lithium chloride or d-amphetamine, indicating stimulus control.
- Responding returned to baseline levels during saline-saline control sessions, confirming the drug-specific effects.
Conclusions:
- Drug stimuli associated with post-session injections can rapidly establish control over behavior.
- The conditioned taste-aversion paradigm is effective for assessing drug discrimination and warrants further exploration in this field.