How Does Naloxone Affect Social Play Behavior?

We can accept the null hypothesis that the administering of Naloxone reduces the behavior of play, which represents a specific inhibition of behavior. This can further be understood by when an opioid antagonist (Nalaxone) is administered to a rat it reduces social behavior (pins), but does not produce nonspecific inhibition of behavior (rears).
Evidence is consisted with a study that was conducted by Vanderschuren, Niesink, and Van Ree that examined the significance of social play behavior in rats. Social play behavior is defined as one of the earliest forms of non-mother-directed social behavior that is found in varying species. It is believed that opiod and dopamine systems play a role in the value of reward in behavior. From the experiment they were able to support the idea that social play behavior can be labeled under its own separate category of behavior, and is not a precursor for adult social, sexual, or aggressive behavior. Instances of social play are more likely to occur when a species primary needs have been satisfied. For example, when an animal has been food deprives it will suppress the species likelihood of engaging in social behavior. …show more content…
Similar to the study conducted by Gillberg, Terenius, and Lonnerholm, researchers concluded that treatment with the μ-opioid receptor such as morphine, methadone, and fentanyl enhanced social play behavior. However, administering an opioid antagonist such as Naloxone reduces social play behavior in rats. Social play behavior is important for development into adult social functioning. Examining social play under the influence of Naloxone may lead to insight about differences among human disorders that are described as a lack of social play