Novel effect of chronic corticosterone treatment on escape behavior in rats.
Chronic administration of corticosterone in rats (4-35 mg/kg/day) produces a marked dose-dependent increase in the frequency of escape behavior observed when animals are held by the tail on a flat surface. The effect is fully developed after 3 days treatment. It is not the result of an increase in spontaneous motor activity since the hormone tends to reduce the latter behavior. Adrenalectomy decreases the escape behavior and tends to do so to a greater degree in rats subjected to chronic stress (restraint) than in nonstressed controls. The results suggest that endogenous corticosterone serves to maintain the above escape behavior during chronic stress.
Stone
E A
EA
Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York 10016.
Egawa
M
M
McEwen
B S
BS
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000818:Animals; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004924:Escape Reaction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012149:Restraint, Physical; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors
D003345:Corticosterone