Abstract
The effects of the anxiogenic compound yohimbine on exploration of a novel open field was investigated. The drug had no effect on latency to enter the open field but produced a marginally significant increase in number of open field entries. The results suggest that yohimbine may have behavioral stimulant and/or anticonflict properties under some testing conditions. Such effects may limit its usefulness as a research tool for the study of anxiety.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Charney, D. S., Heninger, G. S., & Redmond, D. E. (1983). Yohimbine induced anxiety and increased noradrenergic function in humans: Effects of diazepam and clonodine. Life Sciences, 33, 19–29.
Davis, M., Redmond, D. E., & Baraban, J. M. (1979). Noradrenergic agonists and antagonists: Effects on conditioned fear as measured by the potentiated startle paradigm. Psychopharmacology, 65, 111–118.
File, S. E., & Johnson, A. L. (1987). Chronic treatment with imipramine does not reverse the effects of 3 angiogenic compounds in a test of anxiety in the rat. Neuropsychobiology, 17, 187–192.
Guy, A. P., & Gardner, C. R. (1985). Pharmacological characterization of a modified social interaction model of anxiety in the rat. Neuropsychobiology, 13, 194–200.
Harris, J. C., & Newman, J. D. (1987). Mediation of separation distress by alpha2-adrenergic mechanisms in a non-human primate. Brain Research, 410, 353–356.
Huang, M., Messing, R. B., & Sparber, S. B. (1987). Learning enhancement and behavioral arousal induced by yohimbine. Life Sciences, 41, 1083–1088.
Kemble, E. D., Thornton, A. E., & Schultz, L. A. (1987). Some fear-potentiating effects of fluprazine hydrochloride in mice. Aggressive Behavior, 13, 269–280.
Olivier, B. (1981). Selective anti-aggressive properties of DU27725: Etiological analyses of intermale and territorial aggression in the male rat. Pharmacology, Biochemistry & Behavior, 14, 61–77.
Sanger, D. J. (1988). Behavioral effects of the alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonists idazoxan and yohimbine in rats: Comparisons with amphetamine. Psychopharmacology, 96, 243–249.
Sepinwall, J., & Cook, L. (1981). Studies on clonodine in animal tests for antianxiety activity. Psychopharmacology Bulletin, 17, 24–26.
Tsuda, A., Ida, Y., & Tanaka, M. (1988). The contrasting effects of diazepam and yohimbine on conditioned defensive burying in rats. Psychobiology, 16, 213–217.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The authors would like to thank Sheldon Sparber, who kindly supplied the yohimbine used in this experiment.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rawleigh, J.M., Gibson, B.M. & Kemble, E.D. Effects of yohimbine on novel open field exploration of mice. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 28, 424–425 (1990). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03334057
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03334057