A STEREOTYPED RESPONSE INDUCED BY MESCALINE IN MICE AS A MEANS OF INVESTIGATING THE PROPERTIES OF DRUGS ACTING ON THE CNS

Abstract

The effects of mescaline on spontaneous activity of mice placed in special cages have been studied. The typical response (stereotyped response) has been recorded and assessed in terms of percentage of animals showing the effect. Among drugs affecting the response chloropromazine shows the highest specificity. Promazine, hexobarbitone and pentobarbitone also show a definite but minor effect in doses that do not impair motor function. The response is little affected by phenobarbitone. Meprobamate, mephenesin and a thiadiazole derivative (L 1458) at non-paralyzing doses, and also azacyclonol, do not produce specific antagonistic effects. Nor is the effect significantly influenced by atropine, but it is enhanced by morphine.