title: Low-dose oral caffeine induces a specific form of behavioral sensitization in rats.
abstract: The present study assessed the effects of a low dose of orally administered caffeine on sensitization of open-field behavior in rats. Rats had free access to untreated water every day or water containing 0.2 mg/ml of caffeine every other day of the 14-day experiment. On alternate days discrete movements (horizontal and vertical) and ambulatory distance were measured in open-field activity monitors. Although caffeine intake significantly decreased across test sessions in caffeine-treated rats, the number of discrete horizontal movements significantly increased. These findings suggest that low doses of orally administered caffeine induce a specific form of behavioral sensitization in rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2nd St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815, USA. kball@bloomu.edu
authors.forename: Kevin T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Poplawsky
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002110:Caffeine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D002110:Caffeine