@article{ref1,
title="The effect of alpha 2 adrenoceptor blockers on aggressive behavior in mice: implications for the actions of adrenoceptor agents",
journal="Psychopharmacology",
year="1996",
author="Haller, József and Makara, G. B. and Kovács, J. L.",
volume="126",
number="4",
pages="345-350",
abstract="The effects of three alpha 2 adrenoceptor blockers (idazoxan, yohimbine and CH-38083) on isolation-induced aggressive behavior was studied in male mice. The three drugs produced different behavioral profiles. Idazoxan reduced aggressiveness dose-dependently by decreasing the duration of offensive/aggressive interactions and increasing the duration of defensive behaviors. The other two drugs produced only parts of the dual action of idazoxan: yohimbine affected mainly defensive behaviors, while CH-38083 affected only the time spent with fighting. Saline injections per se also influenced behavior and, in contrast to alpha 2 adrenoceptor blockers, induced an increase in aggressiveness. These results are different from those previously obtained in rats, which show bell-shaped dose-response curves in response to alpha 2 adrenoceptor blockers (small doses increased, while large doses decreased aggression). It is postulated that the strong behavioral reaction of mice to the injection per se may mask the aggression-heightening effects of small doses of alpha 2 adrenoceptor blockers in this species. A theory is also presented regarding the complexity of adrenoceptor interactions when both pre-, and postsynaptic alpha 2 adrenoceptors are blocked.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0033-3158",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}