Effects of quipazine and m-chlorophenylbiguanide (m-CPBG) on temporal differentiation: evidence for the involvement of 5-HT2A but not 5-HT3 receptors in interval timing behaviour

Temporal differentiation refers to animals’ ability to regulate their behaviour during an ongoing interval. Striatal dopaminergic mechanisms are purported to be involved in temporal differentiation, and recent evidence also implicates 5-hydroxytryptaminergic (5-HTergic) mechanisms, possibly mediated by 5-HT2A receptors. There is evidence that 5-HT3 receptors contribute to the regulation of dopamine release in the basal ganglia; however, it is not known whether 5-HT3 receptor stimulation can influence temporal differentiation. We examined the effects of a selective 5-HT3 receptor agonist m-CPBG, a mixed 5-HT2A/3 receptor agonist quipazine, and selective 5-HT3 and 5-HT2A receptor antagonists (MDL-72222 and ketanserin, respectively) on temporal differentiation in a free-operant psychophysical procedure. Twenty-four rats were trained to respond on two levers (A and B) under a free-operant psychophysical schedule, in which sucrose reinforcement (0.6 M, 50 μl) was provided intermittently for responding on A during the first half and on B during the second half of 50-s trials. Logistic psychometric functions were fitted to the relative response rate data [percent responding on B (%B) vs time from trial onset (t)], and quantitative indices of timing performance [T 50 (value of t corresponding to %B=50), Weber fraction, and mean time of switching from A to B, S 50] were derived. Quipazine (0.5, 1, and 2 mg kg−1) altered timing performance, dose-dependently reducing T 50 and S 50; m-CPBG (2.5, 5, and 10 mg kg−1) had no significant effect. The effect of quipazine was antagonized by ketanserin (2 mg kg−1), but not by MDL-72222 (1 mg kg−1). The present results provide no evidence for the involvement of 5-HT3 receptors in temporal differentiation and indicate that the effect of quipazine on performance was mediated by 5-HT2A receptor stimulation. The results are consistent with previous evidence for the involvement of 5-HT2A receptors in interval timing behaviour.