Abstract
The effects of electrical stimulation of the reticular formation and of chlorpromazine on a visual attention task in the rat were studied. Stimulation at low intensities tended to improve the performance of the animals; however, at higher intensities of stimulation or after chlorpromazine, performance was significantly impaired. Chlorpromazine given with stimulation resulted in performance levels not different from that seen after saline alone. In one animal in which electrodes were not in the reticular formation, chlorpromazine did not reverse the effects of stimulation. These results support the hypothesis that the arousal-reducing properties of chlorpromazine are mediated by its action on the reticular formation.
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This research was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health, MH 12568, and Research Scientist Award (C.K.) MH 1759.
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Eliasson, M., Kornetsky, C. Interaction effects of chlorpromazine and reticular stimulation on visual attention behavior in rats. Psychon Sci 26, 261–262 (1972). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03328612
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03328612