Effects of Venlafaxine in Sign and Goal Tracking

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Sign tracking is when an organism interacts with a conditioned stimulus that signal something desired. This is comparable to when a drug addict is engaging in drug seeking behaviors after interacting with something which could be associated with drug use. Reducing this type of behavior in addicts who are trying to get off of drugs would be beneficial for the future of drug rehabilitation. One medication we think may work is Venlafaxine, a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). This medication effects behavior by increasing the amounts of serotonin and norepinephrine, naturally occurring substances in the brain. For the procedure, the 17 male Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to the banana pellets (which is used in the operant chambers) over a few days. Next, the rats were individually kept in the chambers, one day without the pellets and the second day with the pellets. Subjects were conditioned over the course of 5 days to associate the presence of a lever with food delivery. Subjects were tested under the influence of 0mg/kg or saline, 30mg/kg, or 60mg/kg of Venlafaxine. Significant differences were found between intermediate and sign trackers. There was a significant difference in goal tracking as well, however it is unsure what translates to goal tracking in humans. To be more conclusive about the results, we would need to have human trials done.