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Yohimbine Increases Novel Odor-Induced Risk Assessment Behaviors

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Abstract

This experiment examined the effects of two doses (0.5 and 2.0 mg/kg) of the anxiogenic compound yohimbine on risk assessment and appetitive behaviors in the presence of novel sheep’s wool odor. Both doses produced a significant elevation in the frequency and duration of immobility. The duration, but not frequency, of rearing was also suppressed at the higher drug dosage. The results are consistent with previous findings in suggesting that odor novelty produces consistent, if modest, elevations in defensiveness which is further increased by treatment with anxiogenic compounds.

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Kemble, E.D., Gordon, C.J. Yohimbine Increases Novel Odor-Induced Risk Assessment Behaviors. Psychol Rec 46, 179–186 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03395170

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