The Effects of Dextroamphetamine on Conditioned Place Preference and Locomotion in a Valproic Acid Rat Model of Autism

Todd, Patricia

The Effects of Dextroamphetamine on Conditioned Place Preference and Locomotion in a Valproic Acid Rat Model of Autism

Persistent URL

https://dspace.allegheny.edu/handle/10456/56631

Author(s)

Todd, Patricia

Date Issued

April 3, 2023

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a disorder that is prevalent in today’s society, yet the exact etiology is unknown. It is thought to be a matter of genetic and environmental factors that are involved in ASD. Valproic Acid (VPA) intake by humans has been found to be a significant risk factor for ASD, and a model in rats was created and validated using this knowledge. It is theorized that a malfunction or dysfunction in the dopamine system may be a part of the etiology of autism. The dopamine system is strongly associated with reward, and can be stimulated using amphetamines. The dopamine system has also been closely associated with locomotion, with higher levels of dopamine function causing hyperlocomotion. The present study aimed to analyze whether d-amphetamine had a reduced effect in the VPA model in relation to the control, in terms of conditioning and locomotion. In the present study, two groups of male rats were used consisting of a group of VPA model rats and a control group (n=6/group, n=12 total). The rats were conditioned with d-amphetamine using a conditioned place preference paradigm. Additionally, rats’ locomotion was tested based on beam breaks along an X,Y infrared beam axis, with Z axis motion counted manually. The conditioned place preference test did not yield significant results between groups with controls showing similar levels of conditioned preference. The locomotion test yielded the result of a significant difference between groups in Z-axis motion, with VPA rats showing a smaller increase to amphetamine than controls; however, no significant difference in amphetamine effects between groups for X,Y axis movement was found.

Major

Neuroscience

Honors

Neuroscience, 2023

First Reader(s)

Hollerman, Jeffrey R.