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Three Laboratory Procedures for Assessing Different Manifestations of Impulsivity in Rats
Published on: March 17, 2019
Extended access to amphetamine self-administration increases impulsive choice in a delay discounting task in rats
Cassandra D Gipson1, Michael T Bardo
1Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536-0509, USA.
Psychopharmacology
|September 29, 2009
Summary
Extended access to d-amphetamine (AMPH) increases impulsive choice in rats, but this effect is reversible after withdrawal. This suggests a transient loss of inhibitory control during escalated AMPH use.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- d-Amphetamine (AMPH) is a common ADHD medication.
- Little is known about AMPH's effects on impulsive choice with escalated use.
Purpose of the Study:
- Examine how short and long access to AMPH self-administration impacts impulsive choice.
- Utilize a delay discounting task in rats to assess reward preferences.
Main Methods:
- Rats underwent AMPH self-administration (0.03 or 0.1 mg/kg/infusion) after initial delay discounting training.
- Rats were then divided into short access (ShA) or long access (LgA; 6-h) groups for 21 days.
- A 7-day withdrawal phase followed, with continued delay discounting.
Main Results:
- Long access (LgA) groups showed decreased mean adjusted delays, indicating increased impulsive choice.
- Escalation in drug intake was observed in the LgA 0.03 mg/kg/infusion group.
- Impulsive choice effects reversed to baseline during the withdrawal phase.
Conclusions:
- Extended AMPH self-administration leads to a temporary reduction in inhibitory control.
- This transient loss of control may contribute to escalating drug intake patterns.
- The observed effects on impulsive choice are reversible upon AMPH withdrawal.
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