title: Does directed exploration influence locomotor activity in a holeboard test?
abstract: The effects of three drugs, chosen for their differential effects on directed exploration and locomotion (ethanol, caffeine, and FG 7142), were examined on the locomotor activity of mice in a holeboard apparatus containing either a solid floor or one with four holes in it. The dose-related effect of all three drugs on locomotor activity was not changed by the presence of the holes, although activity was slightly higher when a solid floor was used. The results indicated that the two measures can vary independently and that the directed exploration component (head-dipping) of the holeboard test does not significantly influence the locomotor activity component.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Studies, NIAAA/DICBR, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Durcan
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Lister
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001067:Appetite Depressants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects; D002110:Caffeine / Q000494:pharmacology; D002243:Carbolines / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D001067:Appetite Depressants; D002243:Carbolines; D002110:Caffeine; D000431:Ethanol; C035874:FG 7142