The present experiments were undertaken to clarify the role of central a 1 -adrenoceptors in reward processes. Rats, trained to selfstimulate via electrodes in the medial forebrain bundle of the lateral hypothalamus, were administered a 1 -selective drugs near the locus coeruleus (LC), a site of a dense concentration of a 1 -receptors. Effects on reward potency were assessed from shifts in rate-frequency curves while effects on motor response capacity were judged from changes in the maximal rates of responding. It was found that local blockade of LC a 1 -receptors with terazosin produced a significant dose-dependent and site-dependent rightward shift of 0.08 log units and a significant decrease of 16.3% in the maximum response rate. Both effects were completely reversed by coadministration of the a 1 -agonist, phenylephrine and were not attributable to terazosin's weak action at a 2 -adrenoceptors. It is concluded that LC a 1 -adrenoceptors are involved both in reward/motivational processes and operant response elaboration which are postulated to work together to facilitate goal attainment. Neuropsychopharmacology (2007) 32, 835-841.