Pimozide attenuates conditioned taste preferences induced by self-stimulation in rats

Conditioned taste preferences (CTPs) were observed in rats who drank flavored water followed by a session of self-stimulation. Control groups that did not self-stimulate did not exhibit CTPs. Other taste/SS pairings conducted under the influence of the dopamine receptor antagonist pimozide (0.1 or 0.3 mg/kg, IP) resulted in dose-dependent reduction in the size of the CTPs. No evidence of any aversive effects (conditioned taste aversions) of the pimozide treatment were observed in the no-stimulation control groups. These data suggest that, in addition to its effects on responding, low doses of pimozide reduce the rewarding properties of self-stimulation.