Effects of anticholinergic and cholinesterase blocking drugs on appetitive behavior under different deprivation conditions

The effects of scopolamine HBr (0.125-1.0 mg/kg) methscopolamine bromide (0.125-1.0 mg/kg), physostigmine sulphate (0.05-0.4 mg/kg), and neostigmine bromide (0.025-0.2 mg/kg) were studied under four different states of deprivation. The dependent measures were differentiated into two appetitive behaviors: lever pressing for food reward and for water reward. The dosages of both anticholinergic agents were effective in reducing appetitive behavior for food reward. The central acting anticholinergic (scopolamine) alone suppressed appetitive behavior for water reward. The effect of cholinesterase blockade was significantly effected by the locus of action with physostigmine suppressing both forms of appetitive behavior while the effect of peripheral cholinesterase blockade on appetitive behavior was specific to suppressing lever pressing for food reward. There were significant interactions of these agents with the deprivation conditions which were particularly evident in the effects of the less extensive acting drugs.