Journal article
Intracranial self-stimulation in female and male rats: no sex differences using a rate-independent procedure
Drug and alcohol dependence, Vol.46(1), pp.31-40
1997
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/115434
PMID: 9246551
Abstract
Given gender differences in human drug use and dependence, this study examined sex differences in reinforcement processes that may underlie such behavior. A psychophysical determination of reinforcement threshold was made using an intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) paradigm, electrically activating the medial forebrain bundle (MFB) as it passes through the lateral hypothalamus (LH). Using this response rate-independent procedure, basal reinforcement thresholds were not significantly different in male vs. female rats (119.4±3.3
μA vs. 110.8±4.0
μA, respectively;
N=8/sex). Further, baseline reinforcement threshold did not fluctuate systematically across stages of the estrous cycle in female rats. The psychostimulants
d-amphetamine (0.056–0.56 mg/kg s.c.) and cocaine (1.8–18.0 mg/kg i.p.) dose-dependently lowered reinforcement threshold, with no significant sex difference. The opioid morphine (0.56–5.6 mg/kg s.c.) did not significantly lower reinforcement threshold in either sex. These results contrast those of some previous studies that have used response rate-dependent measures of reinforcement threshold; procedures which are less rate-dependent may be more appropriate when examining subject variables such as sex and stage of estrous.
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Details
- Title
- Intracranial self-stimulation in female and male rats: no sex differences using a rate-independent procedure
- Creators
- Julie A StratmannRebecca M Craft
- Publication Details
- Drug and alcohol dependence, Vol.46(1), pp.31-40
- Academic Unit
- Psychology, Department of
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ireland Ltd
- Identifiers
- 99900548497301842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article