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The nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor L-NAME produces anxiogenic-like effects in the rat elevated plus-maze test, but not in the social interaction testDepartment of Psychology, London Guildhall University, Calcutta House, Old Castle Street, London E17NT
Department of Psychology, Birkbeck College, University of London, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK
Department of Psychology, London Guildhall University, Calcutta House, Old Castle Street, London E17NT
Department of Psychology, Birkbeck College, University of London, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK The effects of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, Nw-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) were investigated in two animal models of anxiety: the elevated plus-maze and the social interaction test. In the elevated plus- maze, L-NAME (12.5-50 mg/kg) had an anxiogenic-like profile as indicated by dose-dependent reductions in the time spent on the open arms, open arm entries, the percentage of open arm entries and head dips, but there was no significant effect on the number of stretch attend postures. In contrast, L-NAME (12.5-50 mg/kg) failed to modify time spent in social interaction but did reduce a measure of vertical activity The differential effects of L-NAME in the two anxiety paradigms are discussed.
Key Words: anxiogenic • elevated plus-maze • Nw-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) • nitric oxide • rats; social interaction
Journal of Psychopharmacology, Vol. 12, No. 3,
268-272 (1998) This article has been cited by other articles:
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