EFFECTS OF RITANSERIN AND 1-(2,5-DIMETHOXY-4-IODOPHENYL)-2-AMINOPROPANE (DOI) IN THE MURINE ELEVATED PLUS-MAZE TEST OF ANXIETY - AN ETHOPHARMACOLOGICAL STUDY

The 5-HT2A/2C receptor antagonist, ritanserin, has produced highly var iable results in animal models of anxiety. The present study addressed the effects of this compound (0.5-5.0 mg/kg) and those of the 5-HT2A/ 2C receptor agonist, 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (0. 25-1.0 mg/kg), in an ethological version of the murine elevated plus-m aze paradigm. In marked contrast to the potent effects produced by oth er compounds (anxiolytic and anxiogenic) under identical test conditio ns, results show that, over the dose ranges tested, neither compound s ignificantly altered behavioural profiles. Findings are discussed in r elation to the question of receptor affinities and the need for studie s on compounds with more selective profiles of action.