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Abstract

Two anticholinergics (scopolamine hydrobromide and scopolamine methylbromide—.5, .7 mg) were administered to dogs while they were subjected to a Sidman nondiscriminated avoidance schedule which contained seven conditioned stimuli-unavoidable shock (CS-US) pairings. Both anticholinergics significantly elevated urinary 11-hydroxycorticosteroids and heart rate, while only the central acting agent, scopolamine hydrobromide, affected behavior. These results suggest that the behavioral effects of scopolamine hydrobromide are not mediated through its effects on the adrenal-pituitary system. Response rates under scopolamine hydrobromide were substantially reduced leading to increased shock rates, especially during the CS segments of this schedule. These behavioral results were interpreted to suggest that cognitive (possibly memory) functions were altered in response to scopolamine administration.

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Anticholinergics: Their Effects on Fear-Motivated Behavior,Urinary 11-Hydroxycorticosteroids,Urinary Volume,and Heart Rate in the Dog

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