A note on the effects of some cholinergic and anticholinergic drugs on the aggressive behaviour and spontaneous electrical activity of the central nervous system in the ant, Formica rufa

Abstract

The influence of various cholinergic and anticholinergic drugs on the aggressive behaviour and electroencephalogram was investigated in the ant, Formica rufa. Both atropine and scopolamine decreased aggressiveness and electrical activity of the brain whilst tubocurarine caused an opposite effect. The possible role of nicotinic and muscarinic receptors in the central nervous system of the ant is discussed.