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. 1981 Aug;73(4):843–852. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1981.tb08737.x

Cocaine cue in pigeons: time course studies and generalization to structurally related compounds (norcocaine, WIN 35,428 and 35,065-2) and (+)-amphetamine

Torbjörn UC Järbe
PMCID: PMC2071479  PMID: 7272587

Abstract

1 Pigeons trained to discriminate between the presence or absence of effects induced by cocaine hydrochloride (5.6 mg/kg) were tested for generalization with norcocaine and two phenyltropane analogues (WIN 35,428 and WIN 35,065-2). Separate dose-effect curves were obtained at different intervals after the injections so that possible changes both in potency and duration of action could be evaluated.

2 Results showed that all of these drugs fully generalized to cocaine. The order of potency was WIN 35,428 > norcocaine > WIN 35,065-2 > cocaine when tested either at 15 or 60 min after injection. The cocaine-like effects were strongest for all drugs when tested 15 min after injection as compared to the tests at the 60 min interval. The decay of the cocaine-like stimulus effects occurred at about the same rate.

3 Apomorphine (0.3, 0.56 and 1 mg/kg), morphine (3 and 5.6 mg/kg), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinôl (0.3 and 0.56 mg/kg), and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25, 0.056 and 0.1 mg/kg) did not induce more than 30% cocaine appropriate responses. (+)-Amphetamine produced 73% and 85% cocaine appropriate responses depending on the injection-test interval used, 15 and 30 min respectively.

4 The amphetamine homologue, para-hydroxyamphetamine (3.8 mg/kg) did not generalize to cocaine. Tests with 30 mg/kg of procaine produced 40% cocaine appropriate responses. Cocaine is effective also when administered by gavage into the opening of the proventriculus.

5 The use of the drug discrimination technique for studying structure activity relationships of drugs is discussed.

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Selected References

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