Handling history of rats modifies behavioural effects of drugs in the elevated plus-maze test of anxiety.
In rats naive to handling, but not in handling-habituated animals, baclofen (1 mg/kg) and (R,S) zacopride (1 microgram/kg) had significant anxiolytic effects, shown by an increased percentage of time spent on the open arms of the elevated plus-maze. The effects of buspirone were also modified by the animals' handling history and 200 micrograms/kg was significantly anxiogenic only in handling-habituated animals. The pattern of results is discussed in relation to biochemical differences already reported between handling-naive and handling-habituated animals, with particular respect to changes in the 5-HT system.
UMDS Division of Pharmacology, Guy's Hospital, London, UK.
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D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety; D001418:Baclofen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001549:Benzamides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001643:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019086:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; D002065:Buspirone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006234:Handling, Psychological; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology
D001549:Benzamides; D001643:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds; D019086:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; C055971:zacopride; D001418:Baclofen; D002065:Buspirone