Changes in the aggressive behavior of cats treated with amphetamine.
Male, adult cats were tested in three different experimental conditions which might lead to aggressive display: (1) Cat-mouse interaction, (2) Predatory competition between two mice killers, (3) Conspecific interactions. DL-amphetamine in a dose of 1.5 mg/kg was administered every day for three weeks to one group of cats, whereas the other group was treated with saline. The following results were observed in amphetamine treated cats: (1) Inhibition or at least a prolonged latency of predatory attack, (2) loss of the dominant status, (3) total lack of offensive behavior and decrease of defensive postures. The results indicate that amphetamine in moderate doses acts to inhibit predatory attack and aggressive behavior in social situations.
Zagrodzka
J
J
Department of Neurophysiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland.
Jurkowski
T
T
D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects*; D000662:Amphetamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D011235:Predatory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects
D000662:Amphetamines