Effects of methsuximide and mephenytoin on the behavior of pigeons under a repeated acquisition procedure.
Learning impairment is a potentially serious side effect of antiepilepsy medications. The present study investigated the effects of methsuximide and mephenytoin on learning in pigeons performing under a repeated acquisition procedure. Given acutely, methsuximide (25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg) and mephenytoin (60, 120, and 240 mg/kg) produced generally dose-dependent decreases in rates of responding. High doses of each drug increased overall errors; a within-session analysis of error distributions also indicated learning impairment.
Department of Psychology, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo 49008.
D
D
Delaney
A
A
Poling
D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D010856:Columbidae; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006827:Hydantoins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D008617:Mephenytoin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule / Q000187:drug effects; D013388:Succinimides / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D006827:Hydantoins; D013388:Succinimides; C100286:methsuximide; D008617:Mephenytoin