THE PATTERN OF LOCOMOTOR-ACTIVITY AFTER COCAINE TREATMENT IN THE RAT

The present study used a computerised technique to assess the behaviou ral effects on locomotor activity of i.p. cocaine administration in th e rat. This computerised method provides considerable information abou t various behavioural responses, as well as accuracy by measuring the frequency and duration of every behavioural event. Cocaine induced an increase in behavioural events related to motor activity, such as movi ng, sniffing and rearing, while standing was reduced. Cocaine increase d the frequency of the behavioural responses recorded, but decreased t heir mean duration. No stereotyped behavioural element, such as head s winging, head bobbing, licking, stereotyped mouth moving or stereotype d sniffing, was recorded after cocaine treatment. Cocaine, unlike d-am phetamine, induced a specific behavioural pattern characterised predom inantly at all doses by a stimulated motor activation involving an inc rease in moving and sniffing and a decrease in standing behaviour.