The effects of chlorpromazine on water maze learning retention, and stereotyped behavior in the rat
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Summary
Prior studies have shown that pretrial submersion of rats swimming in a water T-maze results in stereotyped behavior. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that administration of chlorpromazine would eliminate this stereotyped behavior through a reduction in motivational strength.
However, chlorpromazine was found to produce severe behavioral disorganization and a decrement in the learning and retention of both stereotyped and non-stereotyped responses. Untreated controls and animals receiving pentobarbital sodium as a control for ataxia which may be produced by chlorpromazine did not show any decrement in performance. It is concluded that the relevant effect of chlorpromazine is not associated with ataxia, nor with a reduction in motivation.
Keywords
Sodium Untreated Control Pentobarbital Chlorpromazine Pentobarbital SodiumPreview
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