The effects of hallucinogenic drugs on maze exploration in the rat over a 24 hour period

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Abstract
1 The variation with clock‐hour in the behaviour of naive rats in a Y‐maze has been recorded. 2 The number of entries recorded was highest during the light period while the number of faecal boluses was highest during the dark period. Rearing showed a biphasic periodicity. 3 The responses to LSD, mescaline and amphetamine also showed significant variation with clock‐hour. 4 In general, amphetamine, 1·25 mg/kg, increased the number of entries and the number of rears, the effect being greatest at the end of the light period. LSD, 100 μg/kg, and mescaline, 12·5 mg/kg, decreased the number of entries and the number of rears. 5 All three drugs decreased the number of faecal boluses. The possible significance of these responses in terms of an effect on the emotional state of the animals is discussed.

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