Pipradrol enhances reinforcing properties of stimuli paired with brain stimulation.
The hypothesis that a psychomotor stimulant drug (pipradrol) enhances the reinforcing effects of stimuli paired with reinforcing brain stimulation was tested using a conditioned reinforcement paradigm. Rats were trained to discriminate between two stimuli (S+ and S-) to obtain ICS in the lateral hypothalamus by pushing a panel in the presence of S+. In a subsequent preference test, ICS was no longer available, but responding on one of two novel levers now produced S+, whereas responding on the other lever produced S-. Four groups of four rats received 0, 5, 10 or 15 mg/kg pipradrol. Doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg significantly enhanced the preference for S+ over S-. These doses increased responding for S+, but had no effect on responding for S-. These results support the hypothesis tested, and suggest that pipradrol potentiates the effects of conditioned reinforcement.
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000187:drug effects
D010880:Piperidines