Anxiolytic activity of tachykinin NK2 receptor antagonists in the mouse light-dark box

• Published in: European journal of pharmacology Vol. 250; no. 3; p. R11
• Main Authors: Stratton, S C, Beresford, I J, Harvey, F J, Turpin, M P, Hagan, R M, Tyers, M B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands 21-12-1993
• Subjects: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Anti-Anxiety Agents - pharmacology; Anxiety - etiology; Behavior, Animal - drug effects; Benzamides - administration & dosage; Benzamides - pharmacology; Darkness; Injections, Subcutaneous; Light; Male; Mice; Oligopeptides - administration & dosage; Oligopeptides - pharmacology; Piperidines - administration & dosage; Piperidines - pharmacology; Receptors, Neurokinin-2 - antagonists & inhibitors
• ISSN: 0014-2999
• DOI: 10.1016/0014-2999(93)90042-G

The tachykinin NK2 receptor antagonists, GR100679 (0.02-200 micrograms/kg s.c.) and (+/-)-SR489698 (0.05-5.0 micrograms/kg s.c.), dose-dependently increased the time which mice spent in the light side of the light-dark box. There was no evidence of sedation or other over behaviours. The amplitudes of these effects were similar to that evoked by diazepam (1.75 mg/kg s.c.). These results indicate a disinhibitory action of NK2 antagonists on suppressed behaviours in a novel aversive environment. This suggests an involvement of NK2 receptors in anxiety-related behaviours.