Methamphetamine Hydrochloride and Reactions to Aversive Shock and Reward Decrements

Abstract

A total of 136 rats were employed in three experiments which assessed the effect of methamphetamine hydrochloride on passive avoidance behavior, on the energizing properties of non-reward in the double runway, and on the decrement in runway performance, which follows a drop in reward value. The drug increased passive avoidance behavior, did not alter the effects of non-reward in the double runway, and reduced the performance decline occasioned by the reward decrement. These results do not support the hypothesis that amphetamines increase emotional reactions; increased passive avoidance behavior resulted because the drug decreased consummatory behavior. The reduction in the performance disruption following the reward shift is consistent with the position that the drug decreases freezing behavior.

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