Further studies of the aggressive behavior induced by delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol in REM sleep-deprived rats.
The aggressive behavior induced by delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol in pairs of REM sleep-deprived rats was studied in five experiments by measuring dominant and submissive behavioral patterns. When 2 REM-deprived rats received delta9-THC, one of the animals displayed very aggressive postures, while its partner assumed incomplete defensive postures. The intensity of these behavioral postures was dose-dependent. In pairs composed of one REM-deprived rat injected with delta9-THC and one normal or one REM-deprived partner injected with control solution the deprived/drugged rat showed an aggressive posture and catatonia, or a strikingly bizarre behavior, while the control partner displayed typical defensive postures. The behavioral alterations induced in REM-deprived rats by amphetamine, LSD-25, and pentobarbital failed to provoke defense postures in the normal rats paired with them; however, apomorphine partially mimicked the delta9-THC-effects. It is concluded that in REM-deprived rats delta9-THC not only provokes aggressive behavior but also impairs the defensive-submissive behavioral patterns.
D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D000661:Amphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000494:pharmacology; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006120:Grooming; D006801:Humans; D008238:Lysergic Acid Diethylamide / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D010424:Pentobarbital / Q000494:pharmacology; D011187:Posture; D051381:Rats; D012892:Sleep Deprivation; D012895:Sleep, REM / Q000502:physiology*; D012930:Social Dominance; D014828:Vocalization, Animal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D013759:Dronabinol; D008238:Lysergic Acid Diethylamide; D000661:Amphetamine; D010424:Pentobarbital; D001058:Apomorphine