Spontaneous locomotor activity

There are similarities between the biological actions of inhalants and those of alcohol and barbiturates (Bowen et al. 1996b). For example, acute administration of inhalants affects motor coordination (Moser and Balster 1981) and induces anxiolysis, whereas chronic administration is associated with physical dependence and withdrawal (Bowen et al. 1996a Evans and Balster 1991, 1993). In addition, some inhalant drugs have anticonvulsant properties (Wood et al. 1984). Like other CNS-depressant agents, inhalants have biphasic effects on spontaneous locomotor activity in rodents, with increased activity seen at lower doses and diminished locomotion seen at higher doses (Cause et al. 1985 Kjellstrand et al. 1985). 

Riegel AC, French ED Acute toluene induces biphasic changes in rat spontaneous locomotor activity which are blocked by remoxipride. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 62 399-402, 1999... 

Spontaneous locomotor activity (SLA) was measured in photocell activity cages isolated in light- and sound-attenuated boxes. 

FIGURE 5. Dose-response curves for the rate-increasing effects of phencyclinoids and dextroamphetamine on spontaneous locomotor activity. 

Figure 3 Rodent pharmacodynamic effects versus CbjU for 6. Dashed lines represent a twofold separation from the in vitro functional assay EC50 (122 nM, dashed arrow). mSLA, mouse spontaneous locomotor activity mPPI, mouse prepulse inhibition DRC, dose-response curve SD, single dose. (See Color Plate 4.3 in the Color Plate Section.)...

Bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana tadpoles exposed to 500-1000 pg Pb/L as lead nitrate for 144 h Reptiles Slider turtle, Trachemys scripta No effect on preference or avoidance responses to plumes of lead-contaminated water or on spontaneous locomotor activity. Lead-exposed tadpoles had significantly greater variability in activity than did controls 51... 

Female rats are more active than males in tests of locomotion (Wang 1923 Beatty 1979 Burke and Broadhurst 1966 Cronan et al. 1985 Rodier 1971 van Haaren and Meyer 1991 Kanyt et al. 1999 Booze et al. 1999, Harrod et al. 2004). This sex difference is markedly reduced in gonadectomized female rats, suggesting a role for ovarian hormones (Kanyt et al. 1999 Booze et al. 1999). In a pioneering study, Rosecrans (1972) had shown that nicotine facilitated spontaneous locomotor activity in females, but had no effect in males. 

Intracerebroventricular administration of ANP ehcited anxiolytic activity in the open field, the social interaction, and the elevated plus maze tests (Biro et al. 1999 Bhattacharya et al. 1996). The effects of central and peripheral administration of atriopeptin II, a 23 amino acid residue peptide of ANP, was furthermore investigated in the elevated plus maze test in rats previously exposed to a social defeat stress. Results show that the intracerebroventricular, intra-amygdala, and intraperitoneal administration of atriopeptin II produced anxiolytic effects without affecting spontaneous locomotor activity (Strdhle et al. 1997). 

In another study, CD-I mice were exposed via the diet to 0. 0.01, 0.025 or 0.05% di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in the diet on days 0-17 of gestation, and the offspring were evaluated for acquisition of developmental landmarks, spontaneous locomotor activity and fertility. The summary report of the study indicates that no effects were observed on reproductive toxicity in either generation (National Toxicology Program, 1997b). 

Other intermediate-duration oral studies in rats evaluated effects of aluminum on brain chemistry as well as neurobehavioral performance. Rats that consumed 51 mg Al/kg/day as aluminum chloride in drinking water for 180 days had alterations in behavior (reduced spontaneous locomotor activity, impaired learning, extinction and relearning of an active avoidance task, impaired maze relearning ability) and brain chemistry (increased lipid peroxidation, decreased activity of Na+-, K+-, and Mg2+-ATPases) (Lai et al. 1993). Ingestion of 490 mg Al/kg/day as aluminum sulfate in drinking water for 4-12 weeks caused reduced retention of a learned passive avoidance task and changes in brain chemistry (e.g., increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels, decreased concentrations of MAP-2 and other structural... 

Rockwood, G. A., Baskin, S. I., Romano, J. A., Jr., Murrow, M. L. (2000). Effects of methemoglobin formers on spontaneous locomotor activity and methemoglobin levels in mice (Tech. Rep. No. USAMRICD-TR-00-06). Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense. 

Inhibition of spontaneous locomotor activity in mice (ED50 ip)b Inhibition of spontaneous locomotor activity in rats (ED50 po)b Inhibition of Sidman avoidance in squirrel monkey (ED50, mg/kg po)b 0.4 (0.3 0.5)... 

Connolly (1966) has selectively bred Drosophila for level of spontaneous locomotor activity. The directional selection imposed resulted in an extremely inactive line and a highly active one. It has been established by Connolly (1967) that the principal phenotypic difference between the strains was spontaneous activity and not reactivity to environmental stimuli. The genetic system involved in the expression of phenotype is polygenic and the character has a heritability of 0.51 + 0.10. The concentrations of biogenic amines were assayed in the two selected strains and in an unselected, control strain (Tunnicliff et al., 1969). Dopamine concentrations were maximal in the inactive line and lowest in the active, the control strain having an intermediate dopamine... 

Fig. 3. Effects on increasing the concentration of y-hydroxybutyric acid in the nutrient medium on the spontaneous locomotor activity of Drosophila melanogaster. The active strain (A—A) exhibited spontaneous activity which decreased in inverse proportion to the amount of drug in the medium. The unselected control strain ( — ) was not so affected over the dose range used. Each point is the mean activity of 20 flies at each drug condition, s.e.m. s are indicated by bars.

Connolly, K., Tunnicliff, G. and Rick, J. T. (1971) The effects of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid on spontaneous locomotor activity and dopamine level in a selected strain of Drosophila melanogaster. Comp. Biochem. Physiol., 408, 321-326. 

Danysz, W., Ebmann, U Bre,sink, I., and Wilke, R. (1994). Glutamate antagonists have different effects on spontaneous locomotor activity in rats. / Afirmticf.i/. Biochem. Behav. 48, 111-118. 

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