Acoustic startle induced ultrasonic vocalization in the rat: a novel animal model of anxiety?
Ultrasonic vocalization was induced by either high intensity acoustic stimuli or by electric footshock in the rat. High intensity acoustic stimuli elicit a startle response, while electric footshocks provoke an immediate withdrawal of the feet often accompanied by a pain reaction. Flunitrazepam (0.5 mg/kg), diazepam (5 mg/kg), and ipsapirone (5 mg/kg) reduced the vocalization induced by both averse stimuli. Maprotiline (10-25 mg/kg) enhanced the vocalization. FG 7142 (10 mg/kg) had no effect. The acoustic startle-induced vocalization paradigm like the electric footshock-induced vocalization paradigm may provide a simple and reliable tool in the study of anxiety. The advantage of an acoustic pulse as the averse stimulus is discussed.
Department of Animal Physiology, University of Tübingen, F.R.G.
M T
MT
Kaltwasser
D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D001067:Appetite Depressants; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects; D002243:Carbolines / Q000494:pharmacology; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004597:Electroshock; D005239:Fear / Q000187:drug effects; D005445:Flunitrazepam / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008376:Maprotiline / Q000494:pharmacology; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013216:Reflex, Startle / Q000187:drug effects; D014465:Ultrasonics; D014828:Vocalization, Animal / Q000187:drug effects
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001067:Appetite Depressants; D002243:Carbolines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D008376:Maprotiline; C035874:FG 7142; D005445:Flunitrazepam; C043077:ipsapirone; D003975:Diazepam