Performance on an impulse control task is altered in adult rats exposed to amphetamine during adolescence

• DOI: 10.1002/dev.21067
• Publication Date: 2012-07-06T12:00:20Z
• Authors: Emily R. Hankosky; Joshua M. Gulley
• Keywords: Impulse control

Abstract Repeated exposure to psychostimulant drugs is associated with long‐lasting changes in cognition, particularly behavioral tasks that are sensitive prefrontal cortex function. Adolescents may be especially vulnerable these drug‐induced cognitive because of the widespread adaptations brain anatomy and function characteristic normal development during this period. Here, we used a differential reinforcement low rates responding task rats determine if amphetamine (AMPH) adolescence would alter inhibition adulthood. Between postnatal days (PND) 27 45, received every other day injections saline or AMPH (3 mg/kg). At PND 125, were trained progressively through series four schedules (DRL 5, 10, 15, 30 s) required them withhold for appropriate amount time before lever press was reinforced. Relative controls, AMPH‐treated displayed transient deficits (i.e., decreases efficiency ratio) only evident at DRL 5. In addition, they had increased nonreinforced periods, which suggested perseveration propensity attribute incentive salience reward‐paired cues. Following challenge (.25–1 mg/kg, i.p.), given 10 min start test sessions, both groups exhibited dose‐dependent efficiency. These results suggest AMPH‐induced alterations incentive‐motivation more robust longer‐lasting than its effects on impulse control. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc . Dev Psychobiol 55: 733–744, 2013.