The effects of d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine (DOM), pentobarbital and methaqualone on punished responding in control and 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine-treated rats
Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior May 1, 1981 Randall L. Commissaris, William H. Lyness, Richard H. Rech 29 citations
The effects of hallucinogens (LSD and DOM) on punished behavior in rats differ from those of sedatives (pentobarbital and methaqualone), and this difference depends on serotonin (5-HT) neurons. Pentobarbital and methaqualone produced large increases (400-600% of control) in punished responding with little decrease in water intake, while hallucinogens produced only moderate increases (125-175% of control) and similarly depressed unpunished responding. Destroying serotonin neurons with a neurotoxin blocked the hallucinogens' effect on punished responding but did not alter the effects of pentobarbital or methaqualone. The hallucinogens' capacity to decrease water intake was also potentiated by serotonin neuron destruction, indicating that serotonin involvement distinguishes these drug classes.