AMPHETAMINE-INDUCED RAGE REACTION IN MICE AND ITS MECHANISM

Rage reaction was induced in mice by ip amphetamine sulfate (APT) 15 mg/kg.Mice appeared hyperreactive after 6 min and then squeaked and fought each other. These manifesta-tions were most distinct in 15～30 min and subsided after 40～70 min. At 20°C and 25°C, the occur-fence of rage reaction was 85. 0% and 90. 0% respectively. The ED₅₀ of APT for eliciting rage reac-tion was 11.8±2.1 mg/kg ip. No significant difference in the induction of rage reaction was ob-served between ? and ? mice but ambient temperature affected the occurrence of this reaction.Neuroleptic drugs (chlorpromazine, haloperidol, tardan and clozapine), anxiolytic drugs (diazepamand meprobamate) and reserpine suppressed the rage reaction induced by APT in mice. Phenobarbitaland pentobarbital (at sedative doses), atropine, scopolamine, phentolamine and propranolol exertedno influence on APT-induced rage reaction. Amantadine, levodopa and apomorphine at lower dosespotentiated the rage inducing effect of APT. Moreover, at higher doses amantadine or levodopa alonealso evoked rage reaction similar to that induced by APT. Therefore, it may be deduced that the APT-induced rage reaction results from increased release of dopamine in limbic system and has nothing todo with the simultaneous epinephrine release. The available data indicate that the APT-induced ragereaction in mice deserves to be recommended as an animal model for screenin g potential neuroleptic dru-gs. The merits and shortcomings of this new model are discussed.