The effects of caffeine on operant behavior in the Mongolian gerbil

Caffeine 2 The present study looks at the effects of stomach loads of caffeine on operant behavior in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Four male and four female gerbils were trained to a fixed interval schedule of 30 seconds with Nayes 4.5 mg rodent pellets used for reinforcement. A data collection and analysis package for Apple computers was used to measure the post-reinforcement response frequencies and number of reinforcements. Data was collected using a baseline of saline stomach loads of 1 % of body weight, and then stomach loads of ascending concentrations caffeine mixed with saline (10, 20, 40, 60 mg/kg) with two to three days ofnon-inte:rvention in between each load for the animals to return to baseline. Results show no significant increases in operant behavior regardless of dosage level, although females show a significantly higher activity level than males with the 40 mg/kg dosage of caffeine.