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The effects of alcohol and atropine on EEG and behavior in the rabbit

  • Animal Studies
  • Original Investigations
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Abstract

Electroencephalographic (EEG) activity was recorded from hippocampus and neocortex of rabbits. It was found that movement, movement-related 6–12 Hz rhythmical slow actvity (RSA), and movement-related neocortical desynchronization were unaffected by intravenous atropine sulfate but depressed by ethyl alcohol (ethanol). Slower 4–8 Hz immobility-related RSA and immobility-related neocortical desynchronization produced by sensory stimulation (visual, auditory, tactle, vestibular) were relatively unaffected by ethanol even at high (0.1–0.2 g-%) blood alcohol levels, but were abolished by atropine sulfate. The results provide evidence for the idea of two pharmacologically separable cortical activating systems and suggest that ethanol has a greater effect on noncholinergic than cholinergic systems.

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  1. Department of Psychology, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada

    Ian Q. Whishaw

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  1. Ian Q. Whishaw
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Whishaw, I.Q. The effects of alcohol and atropine on EEG and behavior in the rabbit. Psychopharmacology 48, 83–90 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00423311

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00423311

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