Effects of clozapine, chlorpromazine and diazepam upon adjunctive and schedule controlled behaviors

Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1977 May;6(5):581-7. doi: 10.1016/0091-3057(77)90120-4.

Abstract

Two twelve-animal groups of rats were trained to press a lever for food reinforcement under either a fixed ratio 20 (FR 20) or a fixed interval 2 min (FI 2 min) schedule. During the FI 2 min schedule a measure of adjunctive behavior (i.e., drinking) was taken. Each group was then administered various doses of chlorpromazine (2.5, 5.0, 10.0 mg/kg, P.O.), clozapine (2.5, 5.0, 10.0 mg/kg, P.O.) or diazepam (5.0, 10.0, 15.0 mg/kg, P.O.) in a random order. All three drugs reliably reduced FR 20 response rates in a dose dependent manner, but chlorpromazine and clozapine were more potent in this regard. Chlorpromazine reduced FI 2 min responses rates especially in the terminal portions of the fixed intervals while diazepam generally elevated rates primarily in the min-portion of the interval. Clozapine produced a less defined effect on overall responding. All three drugs affected index of curvature. Only chlorpromazine was able to reliably reduce occurrence of adjunctive behavior and reinforcements.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chlorpromazine / pharmacology*
  • Clozapine / pharmacology*
  • Diazepam / pharmacology*
  • Dibenzazepines / pharmacology*
  • Drinking Behavior / drug effects*
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Reinforcement Schedule

Substances

  • Dibenzazepines
  • Clozapine
  • Diazepam
  • Chlorpromazine