Pimozide attenuates conditioned taste preferences induced by self-stimulation in rats

Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1981 Dec;15(6):915-9. doi: 10.1016/0091-3057(81)90054-x.

Abstract

Conditioned taste preferences (CTPs) were observed in rats who drank flavored water followed by a session of self-stimulation. Control groups that did not self-stimulate did not exhibit CTPs. Other taste/SS pairings conducted under the influence of the dopamine receptor antagonist pimozide (0.1 or 0.3 mg/kg, IP) resulted in dose-dependent reduction in the size of the CTPs. No evidence of any aversive effects (conditioned taste aversions) of the pimozide treatment were observed in the no-stimulation control groups. These data suggest that, in addition to its effects on responding, low doses of pimozide reduce the rewarding properties of self-stimulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Choice Behavior / drug effects
  • Conditioning, Psychological / drug effects*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Hypothalamus / drug effects
  • Male
  • Pimozide / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Receptors, Dopamine / drug effects
  • Self Stimulation / drug effects*
  • Taste / drug effects*

Substances

  • Receptors, Dopamine
  • Pimozide