Effects of Non-Psychotropic Drugs on Conditioned Behavior of Cats

Abstract

Cats were trained to obtain food pellets under a cycle reward condition in 4-6 weeks. These conditioned-behavior cats were then used for testing a group of non-psychotropic drugs, and any modification of the feeding cycle (FC) was considered as a side effect of the drug on conditioned behavior. All drugs were given orally. Of the 16 non-psychotropic drugs studied, only indomethacin caused a loss and irregularity in the FC. Antihistamines, acetylsalicylic acid, phenoxybenzamine and amantadine reduced the number of FC by about 50%. Studies of conditioned behavior in the cat appear to be useful for both the investigation of drug interactions and the detection of side effects of drugs not ordinarily considered to have central nervous system effects.

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