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Haloperidol and clonidine increase, and apomorphine decreases ultrasonic vocalizations by gerbils

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Abstract

Ten psychotropic drugs that have putative effects on central brain neurotransmitters were assessed for influences on ultrasonic signaling relative to general activity in male Mongolian gerbils. Haloperidol (1 mg/kg IP), a dopamine antagonist, and clonidine (0.1 mg/kg IP), a norepinephrine agonist, increased ultrasonic signaling, and apomorphine (5 mg/kg IP), a dopamine agonist, decreased ultrasonic signaling. Catecholamines may modulate ultrasonic signaling in the gerbil. Body temperature changes were positively with ultrasonic emission in tests after saline, haloperidol, apomorphine, and 5-hydroxytryptophan (30 mg/kg IP).

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Del Thiessen, D., Upchurch, M. Haloperidol and clonidine increase, and apomorphine decreases ultrasonic vocalizations by gerbils. Psychopharmacology 75, 287–290 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00432440

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00432440

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