Comparison of the effects of morphine, pentazocine, cyclazocine and amphetamine on intracranial self-stimulation in the rat

Psychopharmacologia. 1976 Apr 15;46(3):223-7. doi: 10.1007/BF00421106.

Abstract

Rats were trained to press a lever in order to stimulate their hypothalamus through a chronically implanted electrode. Dose-response curves were determined for the effects of morphine (0.3-10 mg/kg), pentazocine (1.0-30 mg/kg), cyclazocine (0.03-30 mg/kg) and d-amphetamine (0.1-3.0 mg/kg) on responding for intracranial stimulation, and then were redetermined in the presence of one or two doses of naloxone. The three analgesics produced only dose-related decreases in responding with the following relative potencies: cyclazocine greater than morphine greater than pentazocine. The well-documented rate-increasing effects of d-amphetamine on intracranial self-stimulation were observed at 0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg of the drug; decreases in responding at 3.0 mg/kg were associated with stereotyped behavior. Naloxone, which had no effect of its own on self-stimulation, increased the dose of the analgesics required to depress response rate in a manner consistent with a competitive antagonism. In contrast, response rates at all doses of d-amphetamine tested in the presence of naloxone. Thus, the interaction between naloxone and d-amphetamine is qualitatively different from the one between naloxone and the analgesics. This finding extends to intracranial self-stimulation the generality of a previous report of interactions between d-amphetamine and naloxone on behavior in the rat.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cyclazocine / pharmacology*
  • Dextroamphetamine / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Dextroamphetamine / pharmacology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Hypothalamus / physiology
  • Male
  • Morphine / pharmacology*
  • Naloxone / pharmacology
  • Pentazocine / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Self Stimulation / drug effects*

Substances

  • Naloxone
  • Morphine
  • Cyclazocine
  • Pentazocine
  • Dextroamphetamine