EFFECTS OF PSYCHOTROPIC AGENTS ON THE EXPLORATORY BEHAVIOR OF RATS IN A Y-SHAPED BOX

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The exploratory behavior of rats has been available as a parameter to know the mode of action of centrally acting agents. Steinberg <I>et al</I>. (1) and Rushton <I>et al</I>. (2, 3) have found that the combined administration of amphetamine and barbiturate produces a marked increase in exploratory activities of naive rats placed into a symmetrical Y-shaped box, though the administration of either agent alone produces little or no increase. Marriott and Spencer (4) have studied the effects of major and minor tranquilizers and antidepressants on the exploratory behavior of rats placed in the same Y-shaped box. It is well-known that a novel environment evokes exploratory activities such as wandering about, rearing and sniffing in rats, and these activities are modified by psychological factors such as curiosity, anxiety and fear (5). Therefore, it is likely that the drug effects on the exploratory activities are influenced by degree of familiarity with the environment. The present experiment is an attempt to know the effects of several psychotropic agents on the exploratory behavior in the inexperienced rats which had never been placed in the Y-shaped box before, and in the experienced rats which have been placed in the box three or four times.
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