Effects of sodium pentobarbital on brain self-stimulation.

Abstract

Ten rats were trained to press a lever for brain stimulation. Then they were given intraperitoneal injections of sodium pentobarbital (15 mg/kg) in order to determine the effects of this drug upon brain self-stimulation. For 8 Ss there was a nonsignificant decrease in self-stimulation rate. This result is consistent with previous findings. 2 rats in which brain self-stimulation was accompanied by convulsions no longer had convulsions following the sodium pentobarbital injection but self-stimulated at markedly increased rates. This finding is not consistent with the view that the reward effects of brain stimulation are related to seizures or convulsive-like effects.