Time-courses of p-CPA-induced depletion of brain serotonin and muricidal aggression in the rat

Pharmacol Res Commun. 1983 Apr;15(4):387-95. doi: 10.1016/s0031-6989(83)80048-4.

Abstract

p-Chlorophenylalanine is known to selectively decrease brain serotonin and to induce muricidal aggression in previously docile rats. With regard to the substance's relatively time-limited effect on brain serotonergic system, the neurochemical activity of p-CPA on tryptophan, serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid on seven discrete areas of the rat brain is studied in parallel to the time-course of muricidal aggression induced by the drug. Evidence indicates that, following the disruption of brain serotonergic inhibitory control, muricidal aggression becomes a stable behavior, probably on account of its self-reinforcing property.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aggression / drug effects*
  • Animals
  • Brain Chemistry / drug effects*
  • Fenclonine / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Serotonin / analysis*
  • Serotonin / physiology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Serotonin
  • Fenclonine