Individual differences in response to novelty and the conditioned locomotor effects of nicotine.

Rats' locomotor reactivity to an inescapable novel environment has been shown to be correlated with the psychomotor response to many stimulant drugs. However, the effects of nicotine on rats categorized as high responder (HR) or low responder (LR) has yielded inconclusive results. This study examined the effects of nicotine ditartrate in HR and LR rats using both a high (0.

The contribution of the central nucleus of the amygdala to individual differences in amphetamine-induced hyperactivity.

Rats classified as high responders (HR) based on their response to an inescapable novel environment self-administer more amphetamine and have greater amphetamine-induced sensitization than rats classified as low responders (LR). Recent research suggests that the central nucleus of the amygdala (ACe) contributes to the elevated self-administration in HR rats. Therefore, the current study examined the role of the ACe in the expression of both amphetamine-induced sensitization and conditioned hyperactivity in HR and LR rats.

Effects of mecamylamine on nicotine-induced conditioned hyperactivity and sensitization in differentially reared rats.

Rats reared in an enriched condition (EC) display less sensitization to nicotine than rats reared in an impoverished condition (IC). However, it is unknown what effect differential rearing has on nicotine-induced conditioned hyperactivity. The present study determined whether differential rearing affects nicotine-induced conditioned hyperactivity.