Construct validity of a self-stimulation threshold paradigm: Effects of reward and performance manipulations

doi:10.1016/0031-9384(92)90211-J

Physiology & Behavior

Volume 51, Issue 1, January 1992, Pages 111-119

https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9384(92)90211-J Get rights and content

Abstract

A discrete-trial current-threshold intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) paradigm has been used extensively to examine the effects of drugs on reward thresholds. However, there is little work to date validating that this specific procedure measures reward. The purpose of the present study was to establish the construct validity of this procedure by testing the procedure's ability to measure reward effects and to discriminate these reward effects from performance effects. The discrete-trial ICSS procedure provides four measures: current thresholds, response latency, extra responses and time-out responses. The effects of a performance manipulation (variations in the force required to operate the manipulandum) and of a reward manipulation (variations in the train duration of the electrical stimulation) were evaluated on the four measures. Reward effects were reflected primarily in changes in thresholds, with no effect on any of the other three measures. Conversely, performance effects were reflected primarily in changes in response latency, extra responses and time-out responses, with only a small effect on thresholds. Finally, the paradigm's potential as a useful tool in the elucidation of the neurobiological basis of reward was demonstrated by investigating the effects of two pharmacological agents, cocaine and curare, on the four measures derived from the discrete-trial current-threshold ICSS procedure. The results suggest that the discrete-trial current-threshold procedure can readily discriminate reward from performance treatments.

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Construct validity of a self-stimulation threshold paradigm: Effects of reward and performance manipulations

Abstract

Behav. Neural Biol.

Behav. Biol.

Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav.

Behav. Brain Res.

Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav.

Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav.

Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav.

Physiol. Behav.

Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav.

Brain Res.

Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev.

Physiol. Behav.

Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav.

The actions of tubocurarine at the frog neuromuscular junction

J. Physiol.

Construct validity in psychological tests

Psychol. Bull.

BMDP Biomedical Computer Programs

Parametric analysis of brain stimulation reward in the rat: III. Effect of performance variables on the reward summation function

J. Comp. Physiol. Psychol.

Reward vs. performance in self-stimulation: Electrode-specific effects of a-methyl-p-tyrosine in the rat

J. Comp. Physiol. Psychol.

Heroin and cocaine intravenous self-administration in rats: Mediation by separate neural systems

Psychopharmacology