EFFECTS OF RISPERIDONE AND SCH-23390 ON ISOLATION-INDUCED AGGRESSION IN MALE-MICE

In this study, the antiaggressive effects of risperidone and SCH 23390 have been explored. Using the paradigm of isolation-induced aggressio n, 150 albino male mice of the OF1 strain were allocated to control an d experimental groups which received three doses of risperidone (0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg) or two doses of SCH 23390 (0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg). O nly the highest doses of risperidone decreased threat and attack behav iours but all doses significantly impaired motor behaviour. SCH 23390 decreased attack with the two doses used and also produced significant increases in immobility. Although both antipsychotics are antiaggress ive, this action seems to be more specific in the case of risperidone. Finally, both drugs failed to affect animals with short attack latenc y, being antiaggressive only in subjects with long attack latency, whi ch suggests that these two types of animals are different in their dop amine and serotonin neurotransmission. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V./ ECNP.