Effects of a dopamine (DA)-β-hydroxylase inhibitor on timing behaviour

✍ Scribed by Sven Ahlenius; Jörgen Engel

• Book ID: 104759501
• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 1972
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 234 KB
• Volume: 24
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0033-3158
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00403644

✦ Synopsis

The behavioural effects of the dopamine (DA)-fl-hydroxylase inhibitor bis-(4-methyl-l-homopiperazinylthiocarbonyl)-disulfide (FLA-63), (12--48 mg/kg s.c.), were investigated using an operant conditioned behaviour: Differential Reinforcement of Low rates (DRL). The effects of FLA-63 on the timing behaviour induced by the DRL schedule were similar to the effects of (+)-amphetamine, and consisted of a shortening of the interresponse times. It is suggested that a timing behaviour like DRL might be a suitable model for testing the ability of different drugs to induce stereotyped behaviour. The results indicate that central DA plays an important role in the behavioural changes observed.