title: A novel activity cage for rats: characterization of some phenylethylamine derivatives with central stimulant and depressant effects.
abstract: 1. A novel activity cage for rats is described. Eight light beams are aimed at a light-conducting perspex rod at the centre of a cylindrical cage. The photoresistor at the end of the rod detects the changes in light intensity produced by interruption of the light beams. 2. The apparatus is simple to operate and was capable of detecting small differences in the motor activity of groups of rats. 3. Dose-dependent increases in motor activity were produced by dexamphetamine (1.36 to 27.3 mumol/kg, i.p.). The depressant effects produced by 20 mumol/kg doses of nonfenfluramine were greater than those of fenfluramine. Large doses (100 mumol/kg) of tranylcypromine stimulated motor activity whereas its cis-isomer, cis-2-phenylcyclopropylamine, depressed motor activity.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005277:Fenfluramine / Q000494:pharmacology; D008027:Light; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D009642:Norfenfluramine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010600:Pharmacology / Q000295:instrumentation; D010627:Phenethylamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D014191:Tranylcypromine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D010627:Phenethylamines; D009642:Norfenfluramine; D005277:Fenfluramine; D014191:Tranylcypromine; D003913:Dextroamphetamine