Genetic influences on locomotor activating effects of ethanol and sodium pentobarbital.
The paradoxical capability of sedative-hypnotics to produce behavioral disinhibition varies among genotypes. In DBA/2 mice ethanol (ETOH) produced strong locomotor stimulation with the peak of the biphasic curve at 1.5 g/kg IP. C57BL/6 mice showed no activation, and F1S were intermediate. These characterizations held for a variety of behavioral indices derived from 15 min tests, such as distance, speed, and rest time, at doses in the 0-2.0 g/kg range. Analogous studies with sodium pentobarbital (0-40 mg/kg) yielded a similar pattern of strain differences in locomotor stimulation. In contrast, loss of righting reflex durations (60 mg/kg PENTO, IP) were similar in the two strains, indicating dissociation of activating and sedative effects. In complementary studies, long- and short-sleep mice, which were bred for differences in soporific effects of ETOH, showed similar activation profiles at ETOH doses up to 1.5 g/kg and PENTO doses up to 30 mg/kg. These studies provide support for an hypothesis of common genetic control of the activation effect for ETOH and PENTO.
Dudek
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Department of Psychology, State University of NY at Albany 12222.
Tritto
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Underwood
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D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics*; D010424:Pentobarbital / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000187:drug effects; D012018:Reflex / Q000187:drug effects; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D013045:Species Specificity
D000431:Ethanol; D010424:Pentobarbital