Decreased motivation following drug withdrawal is often characterized as indicative of addiction. Similar behavioral disruptions are seen in negative contrast paradigms. In the current study, 7 rats with a history of access to a palatable 0.15% saccharine solution before operant sessions were conditioned. Rats responded for food under a multiple FR 5 FR 40 reinforcement schedule. When presession saccharin was removed and replaced with water, responding maintained by food was significantly decreased, with greater effects observed under the FR 40 schedule. These results support the assertion that behavioral disruptions accompanying withdrawal syndromes include a negative contrast component.
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