ANXIOLYTIC EFFECT OF NEUROPEPTIDE FMRFAMIDE IN RATS

Central administration of FMRFamide in rats dose dependently increased the duration of time spent in the open arm of an elevated plus maze a nd enhanced the number of drink contacts in the thirsty rat conflict t est, Similarly in the social interaction test, animals pretreated with FMRFamide spent sufficient time in active social interaction as compa red to controls. Neuropeptide FMRFamide antagonized the anxiogenic eff ect of yohimbine and enhanced the antianxiety effect of diazepam in ra ts. The results indicate anxiolytic action of FMRFamide and the mechan ism of such an action may involve serotonergic transmission.