Dopamine antagonists alter response allocation but do not suppress appetite for food in rats: contrast between the effects of SKF 83566, raclopride, and fenfluramine on a concurrent choice task

摘要: Rationale: Dopamine is important for enabling organisms to overcome work-related response costs. One way of investigating this function has been with concurrent choice procedures using food reinforcement. In the present study, rats were given a between pressing lever preferred Bioserve pellets, or approaching and consuming less-preferred laboratory chow that was concurrently available. previous work task, dopamine antagonists accumbens depletions decreased but increased consumption. Objective: The study assessed three drugs (two one appetite suppressant) pressing/chow feeding task. Results: Under baseline conditions, pressed at high rates (1,300–1,500 responses) obtain food, little eaten (1–2 g). Selective D1 D2 (SKF 83566 raclopride) reduced fixed ratio 5 pressing, substantially contrast, serotonergic suppressant fenfluramine both With antagonists, consumption inversely correlated across treatments, while these two measures unrelated in experiment. Conclusions: do not simply reduce appetite. Rats depletions, treated low doses selective non-selective remain directed toward acquisition food. These results demonstrate fundamental aspects reinforcement are left intact after treatment antagonists.