Abstract
Summary
The effects of phetharbital on behavior and learning have been studied in mice and correlated with concentrations of the drug in the brain. A dose of 75 mg/kg caused reduction of locomotor activity at 0.5 hour and stimulation at 2 or 3 hours after injection. Maximum concentrations in the brain were attained at 2 hours. The acquisition of a passive avoidance response was facilitated by phetharbital in high concentrations and impaired by low concentrations in the brain. Methylphenidate in stimulant doses failed to enhance passive avoidance conditioning in mice. Phetharbital caused prolongation of passive avoidance-latency periods and an apparent acceleration of the learning process despite an associated stimulant effect on motor activity.
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