Behavioral activity of rats measured by a new method based on the piezo-electric principle.
Spontaneous and drug-induced (haloperidol, apomorphine, and amphetamine) motor activity of rats was measured simultaneously via two distinct and independent methods: the classical optical scanning technique and a new procedure based on the piezo-electric principle. The latter procedure measured animal-induced mechanical vibrations of a flexible cage floor which were transduced into electric signals via piezo-electricity. The piezo method appeared to be relatively more sensitive in recording the small, stereotyped motor movements induced by apomorphine (0.63- greater than or equal to 10 mg/kg) and high doses of amphetamine (2.5- greater than or equal to 20 mg/kg). The optical scanning technique, on the other hand, was more sensitive in recording horizontal displacements across the cage such as induced by low doses of amphetamine (0.31-2.5 mg/kg). Both methods showed comparable sensitivity in recording the depression of behaviour induced by haloperidol (0.04- greater than or equal to 1.25 mg/kg) or low doses of apomorphine (0.04-0.16 mg/kg). The piezo method may complement the optical scanning procedure, and thereby enhance the information on the extent that test compounds modify animal behaviour.
D000661:Amphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000494:pharmacology; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004560:Electricity / Q000295:instrumentation; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014160:Transducers, Pressure
D000661:Amphetamine; D006220:Haloperidol; D001058:Apomorphine; D003913:Dextroamphetamine