Theories of Neuroleptics' Effects on Operant Behavior

Jung, Pyeong-Soo; 정평수

Abstract

Behavioral Pharmachology has provided more refined animal models for investigating the effects of subcataleptic doses of neuroleptics on operant behavior since the early day of behavioral pharmachology. Based mainly on findings obtained from classical neuroleptics that are either D1/D2 mixed antagonists or D2 antagonists, some theories connected this neuroleptic-induced phenomena to anhedonia (incentive/motivational) changes, whereas others used motor impairments, and associative deficits as explanatory concepts. First, the anhedonia hypothesis assumes that reinforcers have hedonic value for the organism, and this hedonic impact is mediated through dopaminergic neurotransmission as case that mesolimbic DA system is the neuronal circuitry involved in reward/motivational processes. Second, the motor effects hypotheses focused on identification of motor side effects of neuroleptics drugs, in addition to the findings of the behavioral studies, likehood of neuroleptic-induced motor impairment is also suggested by the fact that among the anatomical regions where DA antagonists bind is the striatum which is a part of the extrapyramidal motor system and claimed to be involved in control of motor activity. Third, possible effects of neuroleptics on processes other than motor activities were suggested by the fact that antipsychotics target the mesolimbic and mesocortical DA system, which are believed to be important in memory and learning process. Taken together, re-evaluation of three major hypotheses may helpful to clarity some of the issues related to D1 and D2 antagonists and functional roles of respective receptors.

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Article Contents

Vol.5

Theories of Neuroleptics' Effects on Operant Behavior

Abstract

The Korean Journal of Cognitive and Biological Psychology