Regular Paper
Effects of Central Depressants on Rota-Rod and Traction Performances in Mice

https://doi.org/10.1254/jjp.27.117Get rights and content
Under a Creative Commons license
open archive

Abstract

Effects of central depressants—chlorpromazine, diazepam, pentobarbital and ethanol—on rota-rod and traction performances in mice were investigated. The walking technique of the animals on the rotating rod (3 cm in diameter, 24 r. p. m.) was established after about 15 trials, and was well maintained for one week thereafter. No training was required for the traction. Both the rota-rod and traction performances were inhibited by chlorpromazine, diazepam, pentobarbital and ethanol in fairly good parallel with the dosages. However, the sensitivities to one same drug markedly differed between the two performances. Chlorpromazine more than diazepam inhibited the rota-rod, while in the traction performance the inhibition with diazepam was greater than that with chlorpromazine. Pentobarbital and ethanol inhibited the two performances to nearly the same degree. On the basis of the present results, the rota-rod test is considered to be suitable for the estimation of the positive adaptability to forced motor activity, and the traction for that of muscle relaxation. By comparing the dose-effect relationships in the two performances, it may be possible to elucidate the characteristics of various central depressants, and to apply these procedures for the screening test in drug evaluations.

Cited by (0)