Effects of p-chloro-phenylalanine on the behaviors induced by apomorphine and amphetamine in adult cats

Abstract

Motles, Elías, Ariel Gómez, Claudio Briones and Magali González: Effects of P-Chloro-Phenylalanine on the Behaviors Induced by Apomorphine and Amphetamine in Adult Cats. Prog. Neuro-Psychopharmacol. & Biol. Psychiat. 1991, 15: 105-117. 1. 1. The effects of serotonin depletion on the behaviors evoked by apomorphine or amphetamine are analyzed. Amphetamine (5 mg/kg, s.c.) or apomorphine (2 mg/kg, s.c.) were administered to fourteen adult mongrel cats. Inhibition of tryptophan hydroxylase was achieved by intraperitoneal injection of p-chlorophenylalanine (100 mg/kg daily for three consecutive days). Serotonin depleted animals were tested with either apomorphine or amphetamine (same doses as above). 2. 2. Behaviors evoked by both drugs were recorded and quantified. The following behaviors were rated: motility (locomotion), alertness, fear, indifference, olfaction and lateral head movements. 3. 3. Biochemical analysis of the raphe dorsalis and caudate nuclei of p-CPA treated animals showed