Stimulant effect of the beta-carboline FG 7142 in the open-field test.
The anxiogenic activity of N-methyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxamide (FG 7142) is sometimes difficult to observe in rats. As the open field has recently been applied successfully to test the anxiogenic potential of n-butyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (beta-CCB) in mice, a comparable experiment was performed with FG 7142 (1, 5, 10, 30 mg/kg i.p.) in rats. In contrast to the inhibitory effects measured with beta-CCB, FG 7142 significantly increased the ambulation and rearing scores and induced aggressivity in some animals. A differential sensitivity of mice and rats to beta-carbolines, predominant analeptic properties of FG 7142, and differences in the types of anxiety induced are proposed to account for this discrepancy.
Bruhwyler
J
J
Department of Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Namur, Belgium.
Chleide
E
E
Houbeau
G
G
Mercier
M
M
D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D002243:Carbolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000187:drug effects*
D002243:Carbolines; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; C035874:FG 7142