Impulsive action induced by amphetamine, cocaine and MK801 is reduced by 5-HT2C receptor stimulation and 5-HT2A receptor blockade

Previous work has shown that 5-HT2C receptor agonists and 5-HT2A receptor antagonists reduce impulsive action, as well as the locomotor stimulant effect of psychomotor stimulants. Since psychomotor stimulants also increase impulsive action we examined the effects of the 5-HT2C receptor agonist Ro60-0175, and the 5-HT2A receptor antagonist M100907 on impulsive action induced by amphetamine, cocaine and the NMDA receptor antagonist MK801 (dizocilpine). Impulsive action was measured in adult male Long-Evans rats as premature responding in the 5-choice serial reaction time (5-CSRT) test. Initially, we determined that amphetamine (0.3 mg/kg), cocaine (15 mg/kg) and MK801 (0.03 mg/kg) induced comparable premature response rates of approximately 50–70 per session, compared to 10–15 responses under baseline conditions. Each drug and its vehicle were then tested in combination with Ro60-0175 (0.1 and 0.6 mg/kg) or its vehicle, or M100907 (0.5 mg/kg) or its vehicle. At 0.1 mg/kg Ro60-0175 did not modify the effects of amphetamine, cocaine or MK801. In contrast, the 0.6 mg/kg dose reduced premature responses induced by amphetamine, cocaine and MK801. M100907 also reduced premature responding induced by all three of these drugs. In general, treatment with Ro60-0175 or M100907 by itself did not consistently alter any of the other aspects of task performance in the 5-CSRT test including number of trials completed, and accuracy of responding. These data show that activation of 5-HT2C receptors and blockade of 5-HT2A receptors have seemingly similar functional effects on a measure of impulsive action. ► Amphetamine, cocaine and MK801 increased impulsivity in the 5-CSRT test. ► The 5-HT2C receptor agonist Ro60-0175 reduced this drug-induced impulsive action. ► The 5-HT2A receptor antagonist M100907 reduced this drug-induced impulsive action. ► These drugs did not impair attention, motivation or motor aspects of performance.