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Stereotyped responding on a two-choice guessing task by marmosets and humans treated with amphetamine
R M Ridley1, H F Baker, C D Frith
1Division of Psychiatry, Clinical Research Centre, Harrow, Middlesex, UK.
Psychopharmacology
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Amphetamine impacts decision-making in humans and marmosets. In humans, it increased stereotyped switching, similar to psychosis symptoms, while marmosets showed perseverative responding, suggesting dopamine
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychopharmacology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Dopaminergic systems are implicated in cognitive functions and behavioral control.
- Altered dopaminergic activity is hypothesized to contribute to the pathophysiology of psychosis.
- Understanding drug-induced behavioral changes can elucidate neural mechanisms underlying choice behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of amphetamine on a two-choice guessing task in humans and marmosets.
- To compare the behavioral responses of humans and marmosets to amphetamine administration.
- To explore the role of dopaminergic systems in behavioral choice and their potential dysfunction in psychosis.
Main Methods:
- Normal human volunteers and marmosets performed a two-choice guessing task.
- Subjects were administered either saline (control) or amphetamine.
- Behavioral responses, specifically alternation and perseverative responding, were quantified.
Main Results:
- Amphetamine administration increased alternation responses in human subjects, indicative of stereotyped switching.
- This human response pattern resembles that observed in certain psychotic patient groups.
- Marmosets treated with amphetamine exhibited increased perseverative responding.
Conclusions:
- Dopaminergic systems play a crucial role in behavioral choice mechanisms.
- Amphetamine differentially affects choice behavior in humans and marmosets.
- Dysfunction in dopaminergic systems may underlie the symptomatology observed in psychosis.