DISCRIMINATIVE STIMULUS PROPERTIES OF AMPHETAMINE IN A CONDITIONED TASTE-AVERSION PARADIGM

It has been proposed that the conditioned taste aversion paradigm may be used to achieve rapid training of subjects in drug discrimination s tudies. We report here that amphetamine (1.0 mg/kg) may acquire discri minative control over the preference of rats for a distinctive flavour when its administration precedes access to a saccharin solution (0.15 % w/v), versus the occasions. when the injection of saline precedes no toxicosis after access to the same flavour. Other doses of amphetamin e (0.18-1.0 mg/kg) or apomorphine (0.1-1.0 mg/kg) produced a dose-depe ndent generalization to the stimulus cue of amphetamine (1.0 mg/kg), a nd haloperidol (0.01-0.1 mg/kg) was able to prevent the stimulus contr ol exerted by amphetamine. No stimulus control was seen in a control g roup where no distinctive outcomes followed the administration of eith er amphetamine or saline before the subjects had access to the sacchar in-flavoured solution. In the experimental group only, changes in the preference for saccharin were observed, with no changes in the total a mount of mater and saccharin ingested. Taken together, the present res ults suggest the usefulness of the conditioned taste aversion procedur e to train subjects in drug discrimination.