Abstract
A technique is described for studying exploratory as well as stereotyped behaviour in rats using an automated hole-board. Both visual and automated recordings can be employed using the technique. Hole dipping is monitored automatically using an infra-red detector system. Repetitive patterns of hole-dipping are used as parameters of stereotyped behaviour while the more random patterns of hole-dipping are used as parameters of exploration.
There was a high significant correlation between the records of hole-dipping behaviour as recorded visually and automatically. There was also a high significant correlation between the measures of repetitiveness/randomness of hole-dipping behaviour from automatic and visual recordings. The pattern and levels of hole-dipping conformed with expectations both as regards changes with time and with increasing doses of dl-amphetamine.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Andén, N. E., Butcher, S. G., Corrodi, H., Fuxe, K., Ungerstedt, U.: Receptor activity and turnover of Dopamine and Noradrenaline after neuroleptics. Europ. J. Pharmacol. 11, 303–314 (1970)
Angrist, B., Gershon, S.: Dopamine and psychotic states. In: Preliminary remarks in neuropharmacology of monoamines and their regulatory enzymes, E. Usdin, ed., pp. 211–219, New York: Raven Press 1974
Ashcroft, G. W., Eccleston, D. E., Murray, L. G., Glen, A. I. M., Crawford, T. B. B., Pullar, I. A., Shields, P. J., Walter, D. S., Blackburn, I. M., Connechan, J., Lonergan, M.: Modified amine hypothesis for the aetiology of affective illness. Lancet 1972II, 573–577
Bainbridge, J. G.: The inhibitory effect of amphetamine on exploration in mice. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 18, 314–319 (1970)
Bättig, K.: Drug effects on exploration of a combined maze and open-field system by rats. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 159, 880–897 (1969)
Boissier, J. R., Simon, P.: La reaction d'exploration chez la souris (Note preliminaire). Therapie 17, 1225–1232 (1962)
Boissier, J. R., Simon, P.: Dissociation de deux composantes dans le comportment d'investigation de la sourie. Arch. int. Pharmacodyn 147, 372–387 (1964)
Bradley, D. W., Joyce, D., Murphy, E. H., Nash, B. M., Porsolt, R. D., Summerfield, A., Twyman, W. A.: Amphetamine-Barbiturate Mixture: Effects on behaviour of mice. Nature (Lond.) 220, 187–188 (1968)
Broadhurst, P. L.: Determinents of emotionality in the rat. 1. Situational factors. Brit. J. Psychol. 48, 1–12 (1957)
Carlsson, A.: Amphetamine and brain catecholamines in Amphetamines and related compounds. In: Proceedings of the Mario Negro Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan, Italy, E. Costa and S. Garattini, eds., pp. 289–300. New York: Raven Press 1970
Carlsson, A.: Antipsychotic drugs and catecholamine synapses. J. psychiat. Res. 11, 57–64 (1974)
Costall, B., Naylor, R. J.: Serotonergic involvement with the stereotypy/catalepsy induced by morphine-like agents in the rat. J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 27, 67–69 (1975a)
Costall, B., Naylor, R. J.: The role of the raphe and extrapyramidal nuclei in the stereotyped and circling responses to quipazine. J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 27, 368–371 (1975b)
Costall, B., Naylor, R. J., Neumeyer, J. L.: Differences in the stereotyped behaviour induced by apomorphine derivatives in the rat and in their actions in extrapyramidal and mesolimbic brain areas. Europ. J. Pharmacol. 31, 1–16 (1975)
File, S. E.: Effects of Chlorpromazine on exploration and habituation in the rat. Brit. J. Pharmacol. 49, 303–310 (1973)
File, S. E., Day, S.: Effects of time of day and food deprivation on exploratory activity in the rat. Anim. Behav. 20, 758–762 (1972)
File, S. E., Wardill, A. G.: Validity of head-dipping as a measure of exploration in a modified hole-board. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 44, 53–59 (1975)
Hall, C. S.: Drive and emotionality: Factors associated with adjustment in the rat. J. comp. physiol. Psychol. 17, 89–108 (1934)
Hughes, R. N.: Methylphenidate induced inhibition of exploratory behaviour in rats. Life Sci. 11, Part 1, 161–167 (1972)
Itoh, H. Takaoki, S.: Effects of psychotropic agents on the exploratory behaviour of rats in a Y-shaped box. Jap. J. Pharmacol. 18, 344–352 (1968)
Janssen, P. A. J., Jageneau, A. H. M., Schellerens, K. H. L.: Chemistry and Pharmacology of compounds related to (4-Hydroxy-4-Phenyl-Piperidino)-Butyraphenone. Part IV. Influence of haloperidol (P 1625) and of Chlorpromazine on the behaviour of rats in an unfamiliar ‘open field’ situation. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 1, 389–392 (1960)
Kelly, P. H., Seviour, P. W., Iversen, S. D.: Amphetamine and apomorphine responses in the rat following 6-OHDA lesions of the nucleus accumbens septi and corpus striatum. Brain. Res. 94, 507–522 (1975)
Kirkby, R. J., Bell, S. D., Preston, A. C.: The effects of methylamphetamine on stereotyped behaviour, activity, startle and oreinting responses. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 25, 41–48 (1972)
Kumar, R.: Extinction of fear I: Effects of amylobarbitone and dexamphetamine given separately and in combination on fear and exploratory behaviour in rats. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 19, 163–187 (1971a)
Kumar, R.: Extinction of fear II: Effects of chlordiazepoxide and chlorpromazine on fear and exploratory behaviour in rats. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 19, 297–312 (1971b)
Leaton, R. N.: Exploratory behaviour in rats with hippocampal lesions. J. comp. physiol. Psychol. 59, 325–330 (1965)
Lester, D.: Effects of habituation to fear on the exploratory behaviour of rats. Nature (Lond.) 220, 932 (1968)
Lewander, T.: Effect of chronic treatment with central stimulants on brain monoamines and some behavioural and physiological functions in rats, guinea-pigs and rabbits. In: Neuropsychopharmacology of monoamines and their regulatory enzymes, E. Usdin, ed., pp. 221–239. New York: Raven Press 1974
Mayer, O., Eybl, V.: Dithiocarbamate central effects in relation to their possible influence on drug metabolizing enzymes. J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 25, 672–676 (1973)
Montgomery, K. C.: The effect of activity deprivation upon exploratory behaviour. J. comp. physiol. Psychol 46, 438–441 (1955)
Nakama, M., Ochiai, T., Kowa, Y.: Effects of psychotropic drugs on emotional behaviour: Exploratory behaviour of naive rats in holed open field. Jap. J. Pharmacol. 22, 767–775 (1972)
Naylor, R. J., Olley, J. E.: Modification of the behavioural changes induced by amphetamine in the rat by lesions on the caudate nucleus, the caudate-putamen and globus pallidus. Neuropharmacology 11, 91–99 (1972)
Nissen, H. W.: A study of exploratory behaviour in the white rat by means of the obstruction method. J. genet. Psychol. 37, 361–376 (1930)
Phillips, A. G., Valle, F. P.: Differences in reward value of hypothalamic brain stimulation in ‘exploratory’ and ‘non-exploratory’ rats. Canad. J. Psychol. 27, 428–440 (1973)
Randrup, A., Munkvad, I.: Pharmacology and physiology of stereotyped behaviour. J. psychiat. Res. 11, 1–10 (1974)
Robbins, T., Iversen, S. D.: A dissociation of the effects of d-Amphetamine on locomotor activity and exploration in rats. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 28, 155–164 (1973)
Ryall, R. W.: Effect of drugs on emotional behaviour in rats. Nature (Lond.) 182, 1606–1607 (1958)
Snyder, S. H., Banerjee, S. P., Yamamura, H. I., Greenberg, D.: Drugs, neurotransmitters and schizophrenia. Science 184, 1243–1253 (1974)
Ungerstedt, U.: Brain dopamine neurons and behaviour. In: The Neurosciences Third Study Program, F. O. Schmitt and F. G. Worden, eds., pp. 695–703. New York: Pergamon Press 1974
U'Prichard, D. C., Steinberg, H.: Selective effects of lithium on two forms of spontaneous activity. Brit. J. Pharmacol. 44, 349–350P (1972)
Wallach, M. B.: Drug-induced stereotyped behaviour: Similarities and differences. In: Neuropsychopharmacology of monoamines and their regulatory enzymes, E. Usdin, ed., pp. 241–260. New York: Raven Press 1974
Watanabe, F.: Knowing and guessing. New York: Wiley 1969
Welker, W. I.: An analysis of exploratory and play behaviour in animals. In: Functions of varied experience, D. W. Fiske and S. R. Maddi, eds., pp. 175–226. Homewood, Ill.: Dorsey 1962
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Makanjuola, R.O.A., Hill, G., Maben, I. et al. An automated method for studying exploratory and stereotyped behaviour in rats. Psychopharmacology 52, 271–277 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00426711
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00426711