PCP and conditioned place preferences.

Abstract

Phencyclidine (PCP), in doses of 0.25, 0.35, and 0.45 mg/kg, was administered systemically to male Sprague-Dawley rats in order to determine if a positive conditioned place preference (CPP) could be achieved. Other subjects received systemic injections of morphine, 4.0 mg/kg, as a standard for comparison. At testing, rats receiving 0.45 mg/kg PCP showed a positive CPP compared to controls, as did rats receiving morphine. Previous research had shown that larger doses of PCP and prolonged times after PCP administration produced aversion as indexed by CPP testing. The narrow dose range and short time span in which PCP's positively reinforcing properties are apt to emerge may be related to PCP's psychotomimetic potential and to its ability to sustain its own intake even though aversive effects are often manifest.