The effects of pyridostigmine bromide on progressive ratio performance in male and female rats.
Small doses of pyridostigmine bromide (PB) affect the acquisition and maintenance of food-maintained behavior in laboratory animals. The present experiment was designed to investigate the effects of this drug on food motivation. Male and female rats were trained to respond on a progressive-ratio schedule of reinforcement and treated with different doses of PB. PB dose-dependently decreased breaking points and response rates in male and female rats. Gender differences were not observed. The results indicate that decreased food motivation may be a factor that contributes to the behavioral effects of PB administration.
van Haaren
F
F
Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-2250, USA. haaren@psych.ufl.edu
Haworth
S C
SC
Bennett
S M
SM
Cody
B A
BA
D000818:Animals; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011729:Pyridostigmine Bromide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D011729:Pyridostigmine Bromide