Date of Award
12-2004
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Lisa Baker
Second Advisor
Dr. Bradley Huitema
Third Advisor
Dr. Cynthia Pietras
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
Drug discrimination is a model used to assess the subjective effects of different psychoactive drugs such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and cocaine. However, results from MDMA discrimination studies across different laboratories have not been consistent. Possible confounds for this inconsistency may include the use of different reinforcement schedules such as the fixed-ratio 20 (FR20) and the variable interval 15 seconds (VI15 s) during discrimination training. Studies examining the effects of these two schedules on the discriminative stimulus properties of MDMA and cocaine have not been conducted. Thus, the present study compared the FR20 and the VI15 s schedules to determine their influence on discrimination acquisition, response rates, frequency of reinforcements and stimulus generalization in rats trained to discriminate cocaine (10 mg/kg) or MDMA (1.5 mg/kg) from saline. Compared to the VI15 s schedule, the FR20 schedule facilitated rapid discrimination acquisition and established differential response rates and frequency of reinforcement under drug and vehicle conditions. MDMA (ED50 = 0.75 mg/kg) was also found to substitute for cocaine in rats trained to discriminate cocaine from saline.
Recommended Citation
Kueh, Daniel, "Reinforcement Schedules Modulate Discriminative Stimulus Properties of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine and Cocaine" (2004). Masters Theses. 1417.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/1417