EFFECTS OF VARIOUS CENTRALLY ACTING DRUGS ON FIGHTING BEHAVIOR OF MICE

• Published in: The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics Vol. 125; no. 1; pp. 28 - 34
• Main Authors: TEDESCHI, R E, TEDESCHI, D H, MUCHA, A, COOK, L, MATTIS, P A, FELLOWS, E J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 01.01.1959
• Subjects: Aggression; Animals; Behavior - drug effects; Central Nervous System Agents; Mice; Old Medline; Pharmacology; DRUGS/effects; BEHAVIOR/effect of drugs on
• ISSN: 0022-3565; 1521-0103

Fighting episodes were produced in mice by exposing the animals to a mild footshock. This method permitted the objective measurement of the frequency of discrete fighting episodes in fighting pairs of mice. The effects of variations in stimulus intensity were studied and the optimum parameters for producing fighting episodes were determined. A quantal type assay procedure was devised in an effort to study the effects of centrally active drugs on the frequency of fighting episodes. Compounds were also studied for their effect in depressing spontaneous motor activity and protecting against maximal electroshock seizures. Reserpine and the phenothiazines that were tested suppressed fighting episodes only in doses which produced a moderate to marked degree of motor inactivation. Diphenylhydantoin and phenobarbital were more effective as anticonvulsants than in suppressing fighting episodes. Of the compounds studied in this battery of tests meprobamate exhibited a particular profile of activity which differentiated it from any of the other compounds studied. This pattern of activity was characterized by a mild degree of anticonvulsant activity, a mild depression of spontaneous motor activity and a more pronounced suppression of fighting episodes.