title: Sugar withdrawal and differential reinforcement of low rate (DRL) performance in rats.
abstract: Sugar consumption is assumed to induce a behavioral state that is similar to the one provoked by addictive substances. Drug withdrawal increases impulsivity, assessed by differential reinforcement of low rate (DRL) performance. The present study investigated the effect of withdrawal from a prolonged period of sugar consumption on DRL performance. Water-deprived rats were trained under a DRL 20s (DRL 20) schedule. The animals were allowed to choose between plain water and a sucrose solution (E group) or water only (C group) for 30 days. The sucrose solution was then removed, and measures of DRL 20 performance were obtained on 3 consecutive days. Results showed that DRL performance in the C group improved after sugar withdrawal, whereas performance in the E group led to the loss of reinforcers. An analysis of variance-type analysis showed that the E group had higher response rates per reinforcer, lower IRTs, and greater differences between baseline and abstinence than the C group after 3 days of sugar withdrawal. Thus, sugar abstinence after a relatively long consumption period resulted in impairment of DRL performance, confirming the parallel effects of addictive drugs and sugar and suggesting an increase in impulsivity as a consequence of sugar deprivation.
authors.affiliation: Experimental Psychology Department, Institute of Psychology, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Mello Moaraes 1721, São Paulo, SP CEP 05508-900, Brazil. Electronic address: vmcds@usp.br.
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mangabeira
authors.affiliation: Experimental Psychology Department, Institute of Psychology, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Mello Moraes 1721, São Paulo, SP CEP 05508-900, Brazil. Electronic address: mgarciam@usp.br.
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garcia-Mijares
authors.affiliation: Experimental Psychology Department, Institute of Psychology, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Mello Moaraes 1721, São Paulo, SP CEP 05508-900, Brazil. Electronic address: teresar@usp.br.
authors.forename: M Teresa A
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D008297:Male; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D014868:Water Deprivation
chemical_list: D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D060766:Drinking Water
keywords: DRL model; Impulsivity; Sugar abstinence; Sugar addiction