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Drug-induced modifications of discriminated avoidance behavior in rats

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Summary

Rats were trained to avoid electric shocks in a three-compartment box, with a procedure requiring either correct active avoidance responses (crossing into the lighted exit compartment) or passive avoidance (no-crossing when both exit compartments were darkened). The effects of various CNS drugs on the learned avoidance behavior were investigated.

Neuroleptic drugs caused a selective inhibition of motor avoidance responses at doses producing a minimal impairment of the escape ability. Muscle relaxants and hypnotic agents inhibited avoidance responses only at neurotoxic doses. Psychotomimetic drugs caused a disruption of the learned behavior, affecting both active and passive avoidance.

The impairment in the ability to select the proper exit when escaping from the shock seems to be related to the painful stimuli and not a specific drug effect.

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  1. Research Laboratories, J. R. Geigy S.A., Basle, Switzerland

    Clara Morpurgo

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  1. Clara Morpurgo
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Morpurgo, C. Drug-induced modifications of discriminated avoidance behavior in rats. Psychopharmacologia 8, 91–99 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00404169

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00404169

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