The effect of benzodiazepines and atropine on exploratory behaviour and motor activity of mice.
1. Male albino mice were watched in red light on a tunnel board to test exploration and their motor activity was assessed in an open cage, 30 min after intraperitoneal injection of drugs.2. Atropine and methylatropine 5 or 10 mg/kg did not alter the motor activity of the mice, while chlordiazepoxide 25 or 50 mg/kg and diazepam 10 or 20 mg/kg increased the activity, especially at the lower of the two doses used.3. All the compounds used except methylatropine adversely affected the exploratory behaviour.4. When atropine 10 mg/kg was given with the benzodiazepines, the activity of the mice was reduced and exploratory behaviour was further impaired. Methylatropine did not have this effect.
D000818:Animals; D001285:Atropine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D002707:Chlordiazepoxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*
D001552:Benzazepines; D002707:Chlordiazepoxide; D001285:Atropine; D003975:Diazepam