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Individual differences in the effect of novel environmental stimuli prior to amphetamine self-administration in rats (Rattus norvegicus).

Author
Abstract
:

These experiments determined whether individual differences in response to novelty subsequently predict the ability of novel stimuli, presented prior to the session, to decrease amphetamine self-administration. Using an inescapable locomotor test, the authors found that high-responder rats (Rattus norvegicus) showed a greater novelty-induced decrease in the acquisition of self-administration compared with low-responder rats. This effect was dose dependent and generalized to sucrose-reinforced responding. Using a free-choice place preference test, the authors found that high-novelty-seeking rats also showed a greater novelty-induced decrease in the acquisition of self-administration compared with low-novelty- seeking rats. Regardless of individual differences, novelty had little effect on amphetamine self-administration during the maintenance phase. These results suggest that exposure to novel environmental stimuli may reduce acquisition of drug-taking behavior, especially among high-novelty-seeking individuals.

Year of Publication
:
2006
Journal
:
Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology
Volume
:
14
Issue
:
3
Number of Pages
:
389-401
ISSN Number
:
1064-1297
URL
:
http://content.apa.org/journals/pha/14/3/389
DOI
:
10.1037/1064-1297.14.3.389
Short Title
:
Exp Clin Psychopharmacol
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