Behavioral Pharmacology

Abstract

It is the purpose of this review to present an integrated, selective, and constructively critical summary of major current trends in behavioral pharmacology. This rather formidable task has been accomplished in at least two relatively recent reviews by Dews & Morse in 1961 (1) and Cook & Kelleher in 1963 (2). The excellence of these contributions lightens the literature-survey burden prior to these dates. Our coverage of major trends, involving the effects of specific classes of drugs upon behavior, pharmaco logical analysis of biochemical-behavioral interrelations, and drug-behavior interactions, will emphasize developments in these areas as they have emerged since the prior reviews in this series.DOPA (!3-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-L-alanine); DRL (differential reinforcement of spaced responses); EKG (electrocardiogram); FI (fixed interval schedule); FR (fi xed ratio schedule); LSD (lysergic acid); SMA (spontaneous motor activity); and VI (variable interval).

Magnesium Pemoline: Enhancement of Learning and Memory of a Conditioned Avoidance Response

“…This enhancement by magnesium pemoline of learning and memory in the "jump-out" test is unusual since both methamphetamine and methylpheni- (11) in a pole-climbing test. These negative findings with amphetamine in the gross operant avoidance test systems (jump-out, pole climb, hurdle cross) are contrasted sharply to positive effects in facilitating acquisition in the instrumental (bar-pressing) avoidance test (12). Certainly, differences of such magnitude between the effects of amphetamine and magnesium pemoline on acquisition rates in the gross operant jump-out test may be explained in terms of possible changes in anxiety or alertness levels or both.…”

Drug Effects on Animal Performance and the Stress Syndrome

“…A series of excellent reviews of behavioral effects of drugs (6)(7)(8)(9)(10) have included various stressful test situations. Their coverage of the literature was necessarily selective and abbreviated.…”

Analytical Study of Acquisition on Free-OperantAvoidance Response for Evaluation of Psychotropic Drugs in Rats*

“…And it has been confirmed in many reports (11)(12)(13) and summarized in many reviews (8,(14)(15)(16)(17) that the avoidance response specifically reflects the inhibitory effect of neuroleptics.…”