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The influence of psychotropic drugs on the ultrasonic calling of mouse pups

Psychopharmacology volume 95, pages 99–102 (1988)Cite this article

Abstract

The influence of a range of commonly used psychotherapeutic drugs on the ultrasonic calling of mouse pups was assessed. The major tranquilizers chlorpromazine and haloperidol were without effect. Whereas tranylcypromine and imipramine were also inactive, amitriptyline suppressed the rate of calling. Some anxiolytic compounds such as meprobamate and amobarbital were without influence, although others such as diazepam, chloridazepoxide and ipsapirone decreased the number of calls. The influence of these drugs on body temperature was measured, as it is known to markedly influence the rate of ultrasonic calling. Although six out of ten drugs decreased body temperature, there was no evidence that this was related to the rate of ultrasonic calling. The possibility that the recording of ultrasonic calls could be used to screen for psychotropic activity is discussed.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University College, SA2 8PP, Swansea, Wales, UK

    D. Benton & K. Nastiti

Authors
  1. D. Benton
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  2. K. Nastiti
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Benton, D., Nastiti, K. The influence of psychotropic drugs on the ultrasonic calling of mouse pups. Psychopharmacology 95, 99–102 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00212775

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00212775

Key words

  • Amobarbital
  • Amitriptyline
  • Anxiety
  • Body temperature
  • Chlordiazepoxide
  • Chlorpromazine
  • Diazepam
  • Haloperidol
  • Imipramine
  • Ipsapirone
  • Meprobamate
  • Tranylcypromine
  • TVX Q 7821
  • Ultrasonic calling