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Abstract
Rats were trained both to barpress for and escape from locus coeruleus, midbrain periaqueductal gray and hypothalamic stimulation. Rate-intensity functions for intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) behavior and latency-intensity functions for escape behavior were obtained for each electrode site in each animal. Following baseline, d-amphetamine was administered and responding was compared with the saline condition for both rate-intensity and latency-intensity functions. ICSS response rates were enhanced by d-amphetamine at all loci, particularly at threshold intensities, while escape responding was biphasically affected by d-amphetamine at all loci. D-amphetamine increased escape latencies at intensities which, under saline, elicited short escape latencies, while decreasing escape latencies at intensities which, under saline, elicited long escape latencies. A significant correspondence was noted between intensities which, under the influence of d-amphetamine, both elicited longer escape latencies and higher ICSS response rates, suggesting that in both ICSS and escape paradigms, animals were titrating the duration of the stimulus train. No site-specific effects of d-amphetamine upon escape behavior were noted.
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Notes on contributors
Steven J. Ellman
Joyce Laing works in the Department of Child and Family Psychiatry, Playfield House, Cupar, Fife, and is a Consultant Art Therapist to Psychiatric Hospitals and Prisons and Chairwoman of the Scottish Society of Art and Psychology.