Effects of repeated administration of soman on schedule-controlled behavior and brain in the rat

Neurotoxicol Teratol. 1990 Jan-Feb;12(1):47-56. doi: 10.1016/0892-0362(90)90112-p.

Abstract

The effects of repeated SC administration of soman on schedule-controlled performance and brain pathology were studied in the rat. Soman suppressed response rates in both components of a multiple fixed interval 50-sec fixed-ratio 25 (mult. FI 50-sec FR 25) schedule of reinforcement, although all animals revealed marked tolerance to repeated drug administration. Response rates generally recovered to baseline levels within 1-3 sessions. Three of the six animals studied, however, demonstrated marked deterioration of steady state schedule performance, particularly during the FI 50-sec component of the multiple schedule. Compared to untreated controls, all soman-treated animals exhibited pathological changes in brain. The most salient finding was glial cell proliferation in layer 4 and deep parts of layer 3 of the cerebral cortex. Glial cell proliferation was most marked in animals that exhibited deterioration of steady state schedule performance.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / drug effects*
  • Brain / pathology
  • Cerebral Cortex / drug effects
  • Conditioning, Operant / drug effects*
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Hippocampus / drug effects
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Reinforcement Schedule
  • Soman / administration & dosage
  • Soman / toxicity*

Substances

  • Soman