Conditioned place preference induced by social play behavior: Parametrics, extinction, reinstatement and disruption by methylphenidate

• Published in: European neuropsychopharmacology Vol. 19; no. 9; pp. 659 - 669
• Main Authors: Trezza, Viviana, Damsteegt, Ruth, Vanderschuren, Louk J.M.J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01-09-2009
• Subjects: Adolescence; Animals; Choice Behavior - drug effects; Conditioning (Psychology) - drug effects; Extinction, Psychological; Internal Medicine; Male; Methylphenidate; Methylphenidate - pharmacology; Motivation; Place conditioning; Play and Playthings - psychology; Psychiatry; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Reinstatement; Reward; Social Behavior; Adolescence; Place conditioning; Social behavior; Motivation; Reinstatement; Reward; Methylphenidate
• ISSN: 0924-977X; 1873-7862
• DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2009.03.006

Abstract In this study, we investigated behavioral factors underlying conditioned place preference (CPP) induced by social interaction in adolescent rats. We found that the magnitude of socially-induced CPP depended on the social motivation of the animals and on the amount of training. After extinction, socially-induced CPP could be reinstated by a single reconditioning session. Treatment with methylphenidate, which disrupts social play behavior in adolescent rats, but not social exploratory behavior, prevented the development of socially-induced CPP. Interestingly, methylphenidate by itself induced CPP. These data demonstrate that: 1. social interaction is rewarding in adolescent rats; 2. appetitive and mnemonic factors influence the development of socially-induced CPP; 3. comparable to drug-induced CPP, socially-induced CPP can be extinguished and reinstated; 4. social play is likely to be the most rewarding aspect of social interaction in adolescent rats; 5. social context influences the subjective effects of methylphenidate.