The Effects Of Scopolamine, Amphetamine, And Physiological Saline Solution On Locomotor And Exploratory Activity In Mice

Abstract

Forty-eight male mice of a random bred strain were injected with either scopolamine (1.0 mg/Kg), amphetamine (1.0 mg/Kg) or a control saline solution, and exposed to an environment in which locomotor activity was recorded. The effects of prior exposure to the environment, and prior injection with either of the three drug treatments were assessed. The major purpose of the study was to determine whether amphetamines and scopolamine act differentially in exploratory and locomotor activity situations. Initial treatment with the drugs produced no significant activity differences, but treatment with the same drugs one day later led to significant activity enhancement in the scopolamine and amphetamine groups when compared with saline controls. Activity scores in the amphetamine group revealed a significant increasing linear trend, while the saline group showed a significant decreasing I linear trend on activity over the 60 minute recording session. No clear cut relationship was established between preinjection or pre-exposure and effects on activity, and it was suggested that future research incorporate simpler rather than complex factorial designs in assessment of these effects.