Bidirectional effects of dopamine D2 receptor antagonists on responding for a conditioned reinforcer. 1997

J K Smith, and J C Neill, and B Costall
Postgraduate Studies in Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, University of Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK.

In general, the administration of dopamine (DA) antagonists has been shown to result in the attenuation of reward processes. Recently, however, it has been suggested that low doses of DA antagonists can enhance the incentive value of a primary reinforcer. The present study examined the effect of DA receptor antagonists on responding for a conditioned stimulus (CS) and compared their effects to that produced by d-amphetamine. For 12 days, food-deprived rats were trained to associate a CS with a food reward. In the test phase, the CS was presented following a response on one of two levers (CR), whereas responding on the other lever (NCR) had no consequence. Low doses of d-amphetamine (0.5 mg/kg), sulpiride (4 mg/kg), pimozide (0.025 mg/kg), and raclopride (0.05 mg/kg) selectively enhanced responding on CR. A low dose of haloperidol (0.01 mg/kg) led to a nonspecific increase in lever responding. Treatment with larger doses of these compounds as well as with the D1 antagonist SCH23390 attenuated responding on CR. Both CR and NCR responding were reduced following administration of higher doses of d-amphetamine. Results indicate that responding for a conditioned reinforcer is potentiated following administration of low doses of D2 receptor antagonists, suggesting that D2 receptor blockade can facilitate incentive motivation.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009042 Motivation Those factors which cause an organism to behave or act in either a goal-seeking or satisfying manner. They may be influenced by physiological drives or by external stimuli. Incentives,Disincentives,Expectations,Disincentive,Expectation,Incentive,Motivations
D010868 Pimozide A diphenylbutylpiperidine that is effective as an antipsychotic agent and as an alternative to HALOPERIDOL for the suppression of vocal and motor tics in patients with Tourette syndrome. Although the precise mechanism of action is unknown, blockade of postsynaptic dopamine receptors has been postulated. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual, 1994, p403) Antalon,Orap,Orap forte,R-6238,R6238
D012054 Reinforcement, Psychology The strengthening of a conditioned response. Negative Reinforcement,Positive Reinforcement,Psychological Reinforcement,Reinforcement (Psychology),Negative Reinforcements,Positive Reinforcements,Psychological Reinforcements,Psychology Reinforcement,Psychology Reinforcements,Reinforcement, Negative,Reinforcement, Positive,Reinforcement, Psychological,Reinforcements (Psychology),Reinforcements, Negative,Reinforcements, Positive,Reinforcements, Psychological,Reinforcements, Psychology
D003216 Conditioning, Operant Learning situations in which the sequence responses of the subject are instrumental in producing reinforcement. When the correct response occurs, which involves the selection from among a repertoire of responses, the subject is immediately reinforced. Instrumental Learning,Learning, Instrumental,Operant Conditioning,Conditionings, Operant,Instrumental Learnings,Learnings, Instrumental,Operant Conditionings
D005260 Female Females
D006220 Haloperidol A phenyl-piperidinyl-butyrophenone that is used primarily to treat SCHIZOPHRENIA and other PSYCHOSES. It is also used in schizoaffective disorder, DELUSIONAL DISORDERS, ballism, and TOURETTE SYNDROME (a drug of choice) and occasionally as adjunctive therapy in INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY and the chorea of HUNTINGTON DISEASE. It is a potent antiemetic and is used in the treatment of intractable HICCUPS. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual, 1994, p279) Haldol
D000661 Amphetamine A powerful central nervous system stimulant and sympathomimetic. Amphetamine has multiple mechanisms of action including blocking uptake of adrenergics and dopamine, stimulation of release of monamines, and inhibiting monoamine oxidase. Amphetamine is also a drug of abuse and a psychotomimetic. The l- and the d,l-forms are included here. The l-form has less central nervous system activity but stronger cardiovascular effects. The d-form is DEXTROAMPHETAMINE. Desoxynorephedrin,Levoamphetamine,Phenopromin,l-Amphetamine,Amfetamine,Amphetamine Sulfate,Amphetamine Sulfate (2:1),Centramina,Fenamine,Mydrial,Phenamine,Thyramine,levo-Amphetamine,Sulfate, Amphetamine,l Amphetamine,levo Amphetamine
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001552 Benzazepines Compounds with BENZENE fused to AZEPINES.
D012201 Reward An object or a situation that can serve to reinforce a response, to satisfy a motive, or to afford pleasure. Rewards

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