Transient hypolocomotion in rats repeatedly exposed to phencyclidine: an appraisal of motor function and motivation

Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2007 Jan 30;31(1):142-50. doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2006.08.006. Epub 2006 Sep 22.

Abstract

Spontaneous locomotion in rats is reduced about 20 h following phencyclidine (PCP) exposure. Our primary purpose was to test if locomotor irregularities would outlast drug withdrawal and be modulated by a periodic auditory stimulation during or after repeated injections. To circumscribe plausible interpretations, motor coordination and motivation were assessed as well. 10 mg/kg of PCP decreased spontaneous locomotion during the injection period whether or not a sound was presented. Those effects did not persist after a 7-day washout. Motor coordination and motivation to perform a variety of goal-driven conducts in the presence or absence of reinforcement were all unaffected by PCP treatment. The generalized hypolocomotor effects induced by PCP likely resulted from an inability to self-generate behaviors. These deficiencies were apparent in contexts where response production was not clearly specified nor supported, regardless of reward contingency.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation
  • Animals
  • Depression, Chemical
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / pharmacology*
  • Exploratory Behavior / drug effects
  • Hallucinogens / pharmacology*
  • Locomotion / drug effects*
  • Male
  • Motivation*
  • Motor Activity / drug effects*
  • Phencyclidine / pharmacology*
  • Psychomotor Performance / drug effects
  • Rats
  • Rats, Long-Evans

Substances

  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists
  • Hallucinogens
  • Phencyclidine