Chronic corticosterone enhances the rewarding effect of hypothalamic self-stimulation in rats.
Excessive levels of glucocorticoids have been implicated in the etiology of affective disorders in humans, and in a range of behavioral deficits in animals. In the present study, we used an established regimen of corticosterone administration (40 mg/kg, for 21 days) to determine its effects upon responding for rewarding brain stimulation in rats. After chronic treatment, subjects exhibited an unexpected but significantly increased sensitivity to the rewarding effects of brain stimulation. These results suggest that chronic, high levels of corticosterone are unlikely to cause anhedonia in rodents.
Barr
A M
AM
Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4.
Brotto
L A
LA
Phillips
A G
AG
D000818:Animals; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D012201:Reward; D012653:Self Stimulation / Q000502:physiology*
D003345:Corticosterone