Sex differences in the effects of neuroleptics on escape-avoidance behavior in mice: A review

The literature of the effects of dopamine antagonists on escape-avoidance, focusing on data obtained in our laboratory with male and female mice, is r eviewed. The acute administration of haloperidol, raclopride, clozapine, an d SCH 23390 impaired escape-avoidance behavior more in males than in female s, and the subchronic administration of haloperidol had a similar effect. T his appeared to be a reliable phenomenon, because it was observed in both k inds of administration, in two mouse strains, and with several drugs and do ses. The observed results were dose dependent, although the dose-effect rel ationship was not the same in all drugs. The sex differences in escape avoi dance did not seem related to sex differences in the well-known deteriorati ng effects of these drugs on motor activity. In addition, an analysis of al l our studies showed that there were no sex differences in the variability of responses, reinforcing the idea that female subjects should be included in these types of studies. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc.