Anxiolytic and anxiogenic drug effects on male and female gerbils in the black-white box



Bradley, Belinda Fay, Bridges, Nikola Jane, Starkey, Nicola Jane, Brown, Stephen L ORCID: 0000-0002-6142-0995 and Lea, Robert William
(2011) Anxiolytic and anxiogenic drug effects on male and female gerbils in the black-white box. BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH, 216 (1). pp. 285-292.

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Abstract

Neurokinin-1, (NK1) receptor antagonists offer strong potential as anxiolytic drugs with few side effects. The use of the Mongolian gerbil for anxiety research offers advantages because gerbil NK1 receptors share a greater homology with human NK1 receptors than those of other rodents. Studies are needed to validate existing tests of anxiety for use with this species. This study examined the effects of two anxiolytics (buspirone and diazepam) and two anxiogenics (caffeine and FG142) on male and female gerbil behaviour in the black-white box (BWB). Diazepam was anxiolytic in males but not females. The anxiolytic effects of buspirone were apparent at the lower doses in both males and females. Higher doses resulted in sedative effects in both sexes. Caffeine produced mild anxiogenesis in females at the lowest dose, and in males at the highest dose. FG7142 was mildly anxiogenic in males and not at all in females. Findings are discussed in light of previous research. The gerbil BWB should not be used as a valid test of anxiety in its current form.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Available online 17 August 2010. Issue date : 1 January 2011.
Uncontrolled Keywords: Mongolian gerbil, Black-white box, Sex differences, Anxiety, Diazepam, Buspirone, Caffeine, FG7142
Subjects: ?? RK ??
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Life Courses and Medical Sciences > School of Dentistry
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 20 Jan 2011 10:43
Last Modified: 16 Dec 2022 04:34
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2010.08.006
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/1385