DOSE-RESPONSE EFFECTS OF BETA-PHENYLETHYLAMINE ON STEREOTYPED BEHAVIOR IN PARGYLINE-PRETREATED RATS

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 11  (6) , 731-742
Abstract
The dose-response and the time-course effect of .beta.-phenylethylamine [a naturally occurring sympathomimetic amine] (4.0-64.0 mg/kg, i.p.) on stereotyped behavior and motor activity was studied in male Sprague-Dawley rats pretreated 2 h earlier with pargyline (0.25-8.0 mg/kg, i.v.). Stereotyped behavior, defined as repetitive, nongoal-directed head movements and sniffing, and changes in motor activity were observed immediately after injection of .beta.-phenylethylamine for a 1 h period. With increasing doses of pargyline pretreatment, .beta.-phenylethylamine produced, in a dose-response relatioship, progressively more stereotyped behavior accompanied by increased motor activity. Without pargyline pretreatment, only 64.0 mg/kg .beta.-phenylethylamine induced behavioral changes. Stereotyped behavior and increased motor activity had an onset at 4-6 min after the injection of .beta.-phenylethylamine, peak at 10-30 min, and gradual decline in the next 10-20 min. A possible relationship with the degree of inhibition of Type A and Type B monoamine oxidase caused by the different doses of pargyline is discussed.