title: A fixed interval momentary sampling method for assessing on-going behaviours induced by dopamine receptor agonists.
abstract: 1. An observational recording procedure for the objective measurement of unconditioned behaviour is described. 2. During an observation period an auditory cue (e.g. the click of a metronome) spaced at regular intervals (e.g. every 10 seconds) signals the observer to rate the presence or absence of target behaviours at the precise instant of the cue. 3. Practical and methodological considerations of the use of this technique are discussed. 4. This method has been used to compare behaviours elicited by the dopamine agonists apomorphine, LY-171555 and SK&F-38393. 5. These behaviours were also assessed using a stereotypy rating scale and these results are contrasted with those obtained using the time-sample method.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crosbie
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Crocker
mesh_terms: D015647:2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine; D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000818:Animals; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004873:Ergolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D019257:Quinpirole; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000187:drug effects*; D012016:Reference Values; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D001552:Benzazepines; D004873:Ergolines; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D019257:Quinpirole; D015647:2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine; D001058:Apomorphine