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Effects of caffeine on DRL performance in the mouse
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
|July 1, 1978
Summary
Caffeine intake in mice increased response bursts and altered their timing on a DRL schedule. Auditory feedback improved performance and resistance to caffeine's disruptive effects.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral pharmacology
- Neuroscience
- Animal behavior studies
Background:
- Differential Reinforcement of Low rates (DRL) schedules are used to study response inhibition.
- Caffeine is a widely consumed psychostimulant with known effects on behavior.
- Previous studies suggest caffeine affects DRL performance in rats.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of caffeine on DRL 18-sec performance in mice.
- To examine the influence of auditory feedback on caffeine-induced behavioral changes.
Main Methods:
- Mice were trained on a nose-poke operant DRL 18-sec schedule.
- Caffeine was administered at doses below 48 mg/kg.
- Auditory feedback was provided for responses.
Main Results:
- Low doses of caffeine increased response bursts (inter-response times < 3 sec) and longer IRTs.
- Caffeine shifted the IRT distribution towards shorter, non-reinforced intervals.
- Auditory feedback reduced response bursts and enhanced resistance to caffeine's effects.
Conclusions:
- Caffeine disrupts DRL performance in mice by increasing response bursts and altering timing.
- Auditory feedback can mitigate the disruptive effects of caffeine on DRL performance.
- Findings align with previous research on caffeine and amphetamine in DRL tasks across species.