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 language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 204-218 |
Number of pages | 15 |
Journal | Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 31 2022 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- choice
- cocaine
- food
- rhesus monkey
- variable schedule
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pharmacology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Pharmacology (medical)