Reduction of nicotine-induced hyperactivity by pCPA.
Spontaneous locomotion of female Wistar rats was measured in six to ten minute sessions in an automated tunnel maze consisting of a central arena and six radially symmetrical angled arms. Nicotine (0.2 mg/kg subcutaneous, 20-30 minutes pretest) increased total arm visit frequency, but intrasession habituation and number of repetitive arm visits in the first six choices were not affected. pCPA (300 mg/kg IP three days pretest) reduced arm-visit frequency in nicotine-, but not in saline-treated rats; it had no effect on intrasession habituation or number of repetitions in either treatment group. 5-HTP (50 mg/kg IP 90 minutes pretest) reduced arm entry frequency in saline-, nicotine-, and pCPA-treated groups. Possible reasons for this discrepancy are discussed.
Fitzgerald
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RE
Oettinger
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Bättig
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K
D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D010134:Fenclonine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006185:Habituation, Psychophysiologic / Q000187:drug effects; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D009538:Nicotine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism
D012701:Serotonin; D009538:Nicotine; D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan; D010134:Fenclonine