Choice Between Food and Cocaine Reinforcers Under Fixed and Variable Schedules in Female and Male Rhesus Monkeys

C. Austin Zamarripa, William S. Doyle, Kevin B. Freeman, James K. Rowlett, Sally L. Huskinson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Illicit drugs like cocaine may be uncertain in terms of the time and effort required to obtain them. Behavior maintained by variable schedules resembles excessive drug-taking compared with fixed schedules. However, no prior research has examined fixed versus variable schedules in drug versus nondrug choice. The present study evaluated cocaine versus food choice under fixed- (FR) and variable-ratio (VR) schedules. The simpler food versus food and cocaine versus cocaine arrangements also were included. Adult female (n = 6) and male (n = 7) rhesus monkeys chose between cocaine (0.01–0.18 mg/kg/injection) and food (4 pellets/delivery), food and food (4 pellets/delivery), or cocaine and cocaine (0.018–0.03 mg/kg/ injection) under FR and VR 100 and 200 schedules. In cocaine versus food choice, cocaine’s potency to maintain choice was greatest when available under a VR 100 or 200 schedule and food under an FR schedule and was lowest when cocaine was available under an FR 200 schedule and food was available under a VR 200 schedule. In food versus food choice, males chose food associated with a VR schedule more than food associated with an FR schedule. In cocaine versus cocaine choice, females and males chose cocaine associated with a VR schedule more than cocaine associated with an FR schedule, particularly under VR 200.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)204-218
Number of pages15
JournalExperimental and clinical psychopharmacology
Volume31
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 31 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • choice
  • cocaine
  • food
  • rhesus monkey
  • variable schedule

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Pharmacology (medical)

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