Abstract
Effect of catecholamine depletion on normal hyperactivity in the neonatal rat was examined. Both α-methyl-para-tyrosine and reserpine significantly depressed behavioral arousal at 15 days postpartum, the age of greatest excitability. Heightened activity could be restored in drug-treated animals by administration of l-Dopa. These results indicate that the ontogenetic hyperactivity effect is a result of accelerated catecholamine function.
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This work was supported in part by National Institute of Mental Health Grants MH01562 and MH08501 to Byron A. Campbell.
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Campbell, B.A., Mabry, P.D. The role of catecholamines in behavioral arousal during ontogenesis. Psychopharmacologia 31, 253–264 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00422515
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00422515