Temporary increase in forebrain norepinephrine turnover in mouse-killing rats

Increased forebrain norepinephrine levels and turnover occur in the aggressive mouse-killing rat 2 hr after a killing episode. These neurochemical effects persist for 24 hr and return to normal by 48 hr. Such changes appear to be related to the killing episode (i.e. stress) and unrelated to aggressiveness. Conceivably, activation or induction of tyrosine hydroxylase might be responsible for these effects.