Abstract
This experiment investigated the effects of chlorpromazine (Thorazine), trifluoperazine (Stela-zine), and caffeine on acquisition of an operant conditioning task and on the learning of a cognitive T-maze task. Thirsty rats conditioned to press a lever for water in the Skinner box were given daily oral dosages of Thorazine (3 mg/kg), Stelazine (10 mg/kg), and caffeine (25 mg/kg). Subjects demonstrated a marked decrease in response rate after administration of Thorazine and Stelazine. Subjects on caffeine demonstrated a mild increase in response rate. Subjects run on a T-maze showed that Thorazine, Stelazine, and caffeine all decreased performance on the cognitive task. All experimental subjects showed approximately 60% weight loss.
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Data collection for the experiment was begun in September 1977 and was completed in April 1978. The paper was written (for publication) in August 1983. Terry L. Holtz gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Robert J. Weidman, Jr., in the data collection. Charles C. Couch made the drawings. Andy Elledge typed the manuscript.
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Holtz, T.L., Goldstein, M.L. The effects of chlorpromazine, trifluoperazine, and caffeine, administered orally, on performance of the albino rat measured by an operant conditioning and a cognitive task. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 22, 142–143 (1984). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03333786
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03333786