Effects of Single 1/2 LD50 Doses of GB Upon Delayed Response and Conditioned Avoidance Response Tests

摘要

Two experiments were conducted (1) to explore behavioral paradigms that might be sensitive to the effects of cholinesterase inhibitors and (2) to identify behavioral changes associated with single large doses (1/2 LD50) of GB. Rhesus monkeys were tested either in a delayed response test using the Wisconsin General Test Apparatus or in a discriminated shock avoidance paradigm in which a brief (0.01 second) warning stimulus was used. In both tests, the monkeys were trained first to a criterion (baseline), then exposed to a sham control procedure, retrained to baseline performance, and administered the appropriate dosage of GB. To insure that respiratory arrest did not occur as a result of the GB exposure, dosing was accomplished while the animal was paralyzed with respiration artificially maintained. The sham procedure was identical to the above dosing procedure except for the omission of the GB injection. Performance after GB exposure was compared to performance following the sham procedure. No reliable long or short term behavioral changes occurred as a result of exposure to GB. The contribution of the dosing procedures, the behavioral tests, and the sensitivity of the dependent variables to the results are discussed. (Author)