Accession Number:

ADA183739

Title:

Effects of Chronic Pyridostigmine Administration on Sustained Work Output in Monkeys

Descriptive Note:

Technical rept. 6 Jul 1979-Jul 1981

Corporate Author:

ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INST OF CHEMICAL DEFENSE ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND MD

Personal Author(s):

• Penetar, David M.

Report Date:

1987-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

18.0

Abstract:

Two pairs of cynomolgus monkeys were tested with repeated chronic pyridostigmine administration to assess this drugs effects on an operant schedule requiring large amounts of sustained work. One monkey of each pair earned reinforcement on a progressive ratio leverpressing schedule, while the second or yoked member of the pair earned its rewards on a progressive interval schedule. The progressive ratio schedule produced a high rate of responding for several hours, whereas the progressive interval schedule produced steady, slow rates of responding. Pyridostigmine was administered, orally, to all monkeys in doses that reduce whole blood cholinesterase levels 30 to 54 for one to three weeks at a time. The results indicate that the ability of the primates to maintain a high rate of behavior over an extended period of time two to three hours is affected by the initial administration of chronic pyridostigmine, while the ability to maintain a lower rate of response is not. Futhermore, repeated sets of chronic pyridostigmine administration are without affect on sustained high rates of responding.

Descriptors:

• *DRUGS
• STEADY STATE
• RATIOS
• HIGH RATE
• SCHEDULING
• LOW RATE
• MONKEYS
• INTERVALS
• WORK MEASUREMENT
• CHOLINESTERASE
• PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
• DOSAGE
• BEHAVIOR
• RESPONSE(BIOLOGY)

Subject Categories:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Pharmacology

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE