Abstract |
Methylazoxymethanol (MAM), an alkylating agent which kills dividing cells, produces microcephaly when administered to rats at 15 days gestation. Rats treated prenatally with MAM were tested on a variety of behavioral tests. The MAM-treated animals performed better than controls in the acquisition of a food-reinforced operant response, but poorer than controls on a passive avoidance procedure. When required to reverse the passive avoidance procedure by actively avoiding the portion of a chamber that was associated with shock, MAM-treated rats performed better than controls. The MAM-treated rats were microcephalic and were also hyperactive compared to controls. It was postulated that the behavioral changes observed in the conditioning tasks may be attributable to hyperactivity. A possible neurochemical basis for this hyperactivity is discussed.
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Authors | H E Cannon-Spoor, W J Freed |
Journal | Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior
(Pharmacol Biochem Behav)
Vol. 20
Issue 2
Pg. 189-93
(Feb 1984)
ISSN: 0091-3057 [Print] United States |
PMID | 6718446
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Alkylating Agents
- Azo Compounds
- Methylazoxymethanol Acetate
- methylazoxymethanol
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Topics |
- Alkylating Agents
(pharmacology)
- Animals
- Avoidance Learning
(drug effects)
- Azo Compounds
(pharmacology)
- Body Weight
- Conditioning, Operant
(drug effects)
- Female
- Methylazoxymethanol Acetate
(analogs & derivatives, pharmacology)
- Motor Activity
(drug effects)
- Pregnancy
- Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
- Psychomotor Performance
(drug effects)
- Rats
- Rats, Inbred Strains
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