Tremorine-Induced Rage and Its Antagonism by Atropine.

Abstract

In unrestrained cats Tremorine (l,4-dipyrrolidino-2-butyne, 10-20 mg/kg) produced a directed, sustained rage which was preceded by intense parasympathetic stimulation and resulted in gastric lesions. Brain electrographic records from anesthetized and succinylcholine-immobilized animals showed changes paralleling the rage response. These included a diffuse cortical activation and increased activity in the posterior hypothalamus. The rage and central electrical changes were reversed and antagonized by atropine (2 mg/kg) and appear to involve a central cholinergic mechanism of subcortical origin.