Dopaminergic mediation of reward: evidence gained using a natural reinforcer in a behavioral contrast paradigm.
Previous studies suggest a dopaminergic basis for the apparent reward properties of self-stimulation of certain brain areas with electrical current. The data of this present study indicate that there may be a dopaminergic role in the perceived hedonic quality of natural reinforcers. Using a classical behavioral contrast paradigm, we observed in rats that the perceived reward of a saccharin solution was decreased by haloperidol and increased by apomorphine, in doses that did not cause non-specific performance effects.
D000818:Animals; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000494:pharmacology; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology*; D005502:Food; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000494:pharmacology; D010465:Perception / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012201:Reward
D006220:Haloperidol; D001058:Apomorphine; D004298:Dopamine