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Effects of mephenytoin on schedule-controlled responding in the pigeon

V Pellettiere1, D Delaney, H Schlinger

  • 1Department of Psychology, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo 49008.

Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
|September 1, 1988
PubMed

Insights

Mephenytoin at high doses reduced pigeon responding. Chronic exposure led to tolerance, diminishing these rate-decreasing effects, suggesting adaptive changes in response to the drug.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

Background:

  • Mephenytoin is an anticonvulsant drug.
  • Understanding drug effects on behavior is crucial for therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the acute and chronic effects of mephenytoin on operant behavior in pigeons.
  • To assess dose-dependent responses and the development of tolerance to mephenytoin's behavioral effects.

Main Methods:

  • Pigeons were trained on a multiple schedule of reinforcement (fixed-ratio 50, fixed-interval 90-sec).
  • Mephenytoin was administered at various acute doses (30-360 mg/kg).
  • Chronic administration was used to evaluate tolerance development.

Main Results:

  • Acute administration of the highest mephenytoin dose (240 mg/kg) significantly decreased response rates under both schedule components.
  • Lower doses showed minimal and inconsistent effects.
  • Chronic exposure resulted in tolerance to the rate-decreasing effects of mephenytoin.

Conclusions:

  • Mephenytoin exhibits dose-dependent rate-decreasing effects on operant behavior in pigeons.
  • Tolerance develops to the behavioral effects of mephenytoin with chronic administration.
  • These findings contribute to understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of mephenytoin action and tolerance.

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