The role of operant behavior in the metabolism of brain 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) turnover was investigated. Two and one-half hours following the administration of 150 mg/kg of para-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA), a specific inhibitor of tryptophan hydroxylase, levels of 5-HT were compared in sedentary and performing rats. Whole brain levels of serotonin were reduced in both responding and sedentary animals; however, differences between these groups were not statistically significant. The drug induced decrease in 5-HT levels was accompanied by a significant decrease in session responding. The degree of suppressed responding could be correlated with the level of 5-HT following PCPA, suggesting that the metabolism of serotonin is in part modulated by the rate of responding as maintained by the operant schedule.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:unt.edu/info:ark/67531/metadc503958 |
| Date | 08 1900 |
| Creators | Shepard, Paul |
| Contributors | Redden, David R., Emmett-Oglesby, M. W. (Michael W.), Schafer, Rollie |
| Publisher | North Texas State University |
| Source Sets | University of North Texas |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | v, 87 leaves: ill., Text |
| Rights | Public, Shepard, Paul, Copyright, Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. |
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