Cocaine decreases self-control in rats: a preliminary report

Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1992;109(1-2):245-7. doi: 10.1007/BF02245509.

Abstract

Cocaine abuse is often associated with behavior that takes into account short-term, but not long-term consequences. However, there has been no empirical research concerning the effects of cocaine on self-control (choice of a larger, more delayed reinforcer over a smaller, less delayed reinforcer). In the present research, when food-deprived rats repeatedly chose between a larger, more delayed food reinforcer and a smaller, less delayed food reinforcer, chronic intraperitoneal injections of 15 mg/kg cocaine (but not 10 mg/kg fluoxetine) decreased the rats' choices of the larger, more delayed reinforcer. Cocaine can decrease rats' self-control.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cocaine / administration & dosage
  • Cocaine / pharmacology*
  • Conditioning, Operant / drug effects*
  • Fluoxetine / administration & dosage
  • Fluoxetine / pharmacology
  • Injections, Intraperitoneal
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Reinforcement, Psychology

Substances

  • Fluoxetine
  • Cocaine