Research article summary (published 29 Nov 1991):

Effects of the benzodiazepine receptor inverse agonist, DMCM, on the behaviour of mice: an ethopharmacological study.

Full Abstract

Ethopharmacological procedures and a two-compartment black and white test box were used to examine behavioural effects produced by the benzodiazepine receptor inverse agonist, methyl-6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (DMCM), when given by intraperitoneal injection (0.4 and 1.0 mg/kg) to pair-housed adult CD1 male mice. Control mice received injections of the solvent. Behaviour in the light-dark box was examined at 30 min after the injection and behaviour during encounters with an untreated group-housed male, in a neutral cage, was then assessed by ethological procedures. In dominant mice, aggressive behaviour was significantly reduced and the ratio of flight, relative to aggression received, was significantly increased by DMCM at 0.4 mg/kg. At 1 mg/kg but not 0.4 mg/kg, DMCM decreased time spent by dominant mice in the light compartment of the test box. In both dominant and subordinate mice, flight was increased by DMCM at 1 mg/kg to a level close to statistical significance. Treatment with DMCM had no other detectable effect on the behaviour of subordinate animals. It is suggested that anxiogenic activity of this compound might induce a shift of agonistic behaviour from aggression to "fear-induced flight".

Author information

Author/s: Cutler, M G (MG); Aitken, C C (CC);

Affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Glasgow College, U.K.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Neuropharmacology (Neuropharmacology), published in ENGLAND. (Language: eng)

Reference: 1991-Dec; vol 30 (issue 12A) : pp 1255-61

Dates: Created 1992/03/24; Completed 1992/03/24; Revised 2003/11/14;

PMID: 1664917, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Aggression - drug effects Animals Behavior, Animal - drug effects Carbolines - pharmacology Male

Male Mice Receptors, GABA-A - drug effects Social Behavior Social Dominance

Associated Chemicals: Carbolines (0) ; Receptors, GABA-A (0) ; methyl 6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (82499-00-1)

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