title: Oral pentobarbital intake in rhesus monkeys: effects of drug concentration under conditions of food deprivation and satiation.
abstract: Pentobarbital-reinforced behavior was studied in four rhesus monkeys. A pentobarbital solution and water were concurrently available during 3-hr sessions; water was freely available between sessions. Both pentobarbital concentration and feeding conditions (deprivation versus satiation) were varied. In two food-restricted monkeys subsequent food satiation eliminated pentobarbital-maintained responding. In two other food-restricted monkeys the effects of food satiation varied with the drug concentration. At the highest concentration, 4 mg/ml, food satiation did not alter responding, whereas at 2 mg/ml a moderate decrease occurred and at 1 mg/ml responding was greatly reduced. During the food satiation phase, when the concentration was 4 mg/ml, responding was well maintained under several fixed-ratio sizes. Large quantities of pentobarbital were consumed, and intoxication was observed. Water-maintained responding occurred at low rates and did not vary across feeding conditions or drug concentration. The results support an interpretation in terms of a behavioral mechanism of action. Specifically, the effects of food deprivation on drug self-administration are to increase the magnitude of the reinforcing effects of the drug.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kliner
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Meisch
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005508:Food Deprivation; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D010424:Pentobarbital / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012527:Satiation; D012646:Self Administration
chemical_list: D010424:Pentobarbital