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Fixed-interval schedules for drug self-administration in the rat
1Addiction Research Foundation, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Psychopharmacology
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Second-order fixed-interval schedules are practical for studying heroin reinforcement in rats. Optimal conditions were identified, showing comparable response rates to other reinforcers like cocaine or food.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral pharmacology
- Animal models of addiction
Background:
- Fixed-interval schedules are common in behavioral research.
- Second-order schedules involve a richer schedule preceding a leaner one, often used to study drug reinforcement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the practicality of second-order fixed-interval schedules for heroin reinforcement studies in rats.
- To determine optimal parameters for such schedules.
Main Methods:
- Rats were trained on second-order fixed-interval schedules.
- Heroin was used as the reinforcer.
- Response rates were measured under varying doses and interval durations.
Main Results:
- Optimal responding was achieved with a heroin dose of 0.03 mg/kg/infusion and a 3-minute interval.
- Single-interval schedules also proved practical, yielding response rates similar to those seen with cocaine or food reinforcers.
Conclusions:
- Second-order fixed-interval schedules are a viable method for investigating heroin reinforcement in rats.
- The identified parameters provide a foundation for future research using this paradigm.