Abstract
Effects of 2.5, 3.75 and 5.0 mg/kg chlordiazepoxide on locomotion, rearing and preferences for novelty in rats were observed in an exploration box comprising a novel and a familiar half. Whereas an inverted U relationship between dose strength and locomotion was evident, rearing declined with increasing dosage. However, the two lower doses had little effect on preferences for novelty but 5.0 mg/kg produced a marked decrease to the point where the familiar half of the apparatus was preferred. It was concluded that estimates of drug effects on measures of locomotion or general activity are specific to those behaviours alone and do not necessarily relate to environmentally oriented exploration. Different views of the effects of drugs on exploratory behaviour might arise from the use of more valid indices, such as preferences for novelty.
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This work was supported by a research grant from the University Grants Committee (New Zealand).
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Hughes, R.N. Chlordiazepoxide modified exploration in rats. Psychopharmacologia 24, 462–469 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00423436
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00423436