Induction of mouse-killing in the rat by intraventricular injection of a GABA-agonist.
Intracerebroventricular injections of THIP (2.5 and 5.0 micrograms in 5 microliter) facilitated elicitation of mouse-killing in killer rats placed in a non-familiar environment. The same doses induced well organized mouse-killing responses in 60% of non-killer rats. Concomitantly food intake was elicited. Exploratory activity as well as orientation and approach towards any sensory stimulus were also increased. On the contrary, intracerebroventricular injections of bicuculline methiodide (65 and 125 ng in 5 microliters) suppressed aggressive responses in killer rats. The data support the view that GABA receptors are involved in mechanisms which facilitate elicitation of mouse-killing behaviour as well as other positively motivated responses.
D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects; D001640:Bicuculline / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010080:Oxazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000502:physiology*
D007555:Isoxazoles; D010080:Oxazoles; C017069:bicuculline methiodide; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; C015542:gaboxadol; D001640:Bicuculline