Abstract
Rats' performance on a progressive-ratio schedule maintained by sucrose (0.6M, 50μl) and corn oil (100%, 25μl) reinforcers was assessed using a model derived from Killeen's (1994) theory of schedule-controlled behaviour, 'Mathematical Principles of Reinforcement'. When the rats were maintained at 80% of their free-feeding body weights, the parameter expressing incentive value, a, was greater for the corn oil than for the sucrose reinforcer; the response-time parameter, δ, did not differ between the reinforcer types, but a parameter derived from the linear waiting principle (T0), indicated that the minimum post-reinforcement pause was longer for corn oil than for sucrose. When the rats were maintained under free-feeding conditions, a was reduced, indicating a reduction of incentive value, but δ was unaltered. Under the food-deprived condition, the CB1 cannabinoid receptor agonist Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC: 0.3, 1 and 3mgkg(-1)) increased the value of a for sucrose but not for corn oil, suggesting a selective enhancement of the incentive value of sucrose; none of the other parameters was affected by THC. The results provide new information about the sensitivity of the model's parameters to deprivation and reinforcer quality, and suggest that THC selectively enhances the incentive value of sucrose.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 122-131 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Behavioural Processes |
Volume | 113 |
Early online date | 28 Jan 2015 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Apr 2015 |
Bibliographical note
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.This work was supported by the Schools of Community Health Sciences and Psychology, University of Nottingham. C.M. Olarte-Sánchez was supported by a U.K. Medical Research Council (MRC/DTA) scholarship. L. Valencia-Torres was supported by a scholarship from the National Science Council of Mexico (CONACYT). We are grateful to Mrs V.K. Bak and Mr R.W. Langley for skilled technical assistance.
Keywords
- Progressive-ratio schedule
- Mathematical Principles of Reinforcement
- Mathematical model
- Food deprivation
- Sucrose
- Corn oil
- Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol
- Incentive value
- Rat