The effects of acrylamide on the behavioral suppression produced by psychoactive agents

Rats were trained to lever touch for food on a Variable Interval (VI) 15 sec. schedule of reinforcement. Dose-response alteration of VI responding by apomorphine, d-amphetamine, clonidine, and chlordiazepoxide was studied along and in the presence of a dose of acrylamide which, by itself, did not alter VI responding. Pretreatment with 12.5 mg/kg of acrylamide 24 hrs. prior to challenge with psychoactive compounds enhanced the behavioral suppressant effects of apomorphine and d-amphetamine. No significant effect of acrylamide pretreatment on the behavioral effects of clonidine and chlordiazepoxide was observed. These data suggest that acute exposure to acrylamide increases responsiveness to agents that act directly on dopamine (DA) receptors or indirectly by releasing DA. This change in responsiveness to apomorphine and d-amphetamine may be related to the effects of acrylamide on the affinity or density of the DA receptor.