ISSN:
1432-2072
Keywords:
GABA
;
Mouse-killing
;
Aggressive behaviour
;
GVG
;
DPA
;
THIP
;
Picrotoxin
;
Bicuculline
;
Rat
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract When GABA-potentiating compounds were administered IP to rats with prior experience of mouse-killing behaviour, a reduction of killing was observed with gammavinyl GABA (200 and 400 mg/kg) and nipecotic acid amide (400 mg/kg), while no significant effect was noted following injection of dipropylacetate or THIP. The inhibitory effects of gamma-vinyl GABA and nipecotic acid amide were not reversed by subsequent injection of picrotoxin and were associated with sedation as observed in open field and actograph tests. When GABA-potentiating compounds were administered to food-deprived rats exposed for the first time to a mouse (initial elicitation), administration of gamma-vinyl GABA, dipropylacetate, nipecotic acid amide or THIP increased the incidence of mouse-killing behaviour. Conversely, the incidence of mouse-killing under the same conditions was reduced following injections of picrotoxin. These results do not support the hypothesis that the general activation of GABAergic mechanisms inhibits mouse-killing behaviour in rats. On the contrary, data obtained in naive animals suggest that potentiation of these mechanisms actually facilitates the initial elicitation of this behaviour.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00428547
