Abstract
Rationale: Previous studies have shown that individual differences in oral sucrose consumption are predictive of the psychomotor and dopamine (DA) stimulant properties of amphetamine in rats. Objectives: The present experiment was designed to examine the relationship between sucrose feeding and the reinforcing properties of amphetamine using the intravenous (i.v.) drug self-administration paradigm. Methods: Based on a median split of sucrose intake during a final 1-h feeding test session, male Wistar rats were designated as either low (LSF) or high sucrose feeders (HSF). Acquisition of i.v.-amphetamine self-administration across ten daily 30-min sessions was then assessed. Following acquisition, i.v. self-administration of several doses of amphetamine was similarly tested across daily 30-min sessions. Results: Data from this experiment revealed augmented responding in HSF compared with LSF during acquisition of amphetamine self-administration. Correspondingly, when given access to different doses of amphetamine, responding was greater in HSF than in LSF across several doses (3 µg and 10 µg per infusion). Conclusions: These data support the notion that individual differences in oral sucrose consumption are predictive of the reinforcing properties of psychostimulant drugs.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 30 March 1999 / Final version: 10 August 1999
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
DeSousa, N., Bush, D. & Vaccarino, F. Self-administration of intravenous amphetamine is predicted by individual differences in sucrose feeding in rats. Psychopharmacology 148, 52–58 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002130050024
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002130050024