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Methylxanthine-facilitated shock-induced aggression in the rat

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Abstract

The methylxanthines caffeine and aminophylline, in daily doses of 100 mg/kg, facilitated shock-induced aggression in the rat. Under the limited parameters of this study, there was no induction of mouse-killing behavior or alteration of jump thresholds. Additional studies showed the optimal dose and time course for the facilitation of shock-induced aggression by caffeine to be 50 mg/kg administered i.p. 4 h prior to testing. Facilitation of a central adrenergic system may be the mechanism of action.

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Eichelman, B., Orenberg, E., Hackley, P. et al. Methylxanthine-facilitated shock-induced aggression in the rat. Psychopharmacology 56, 305–308 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00432854

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00432854

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