Behavior “recovery” during chronic reserpine treatment: Effect of dose of reserpine

Summary Various doses of reserpine were administered chronically to rats which were tested for rotarod performance and spontaneous locomotor activity. Doses of 0.0625, 0.125 and 0.25 mg/kg/day produced depression of rotarod performance after varying periods of treatment. No evidence of recovery of performance was observed during treatment with any dose. Doses of 0.125, 0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg/ day produced depression of spontaneous locomotor activity after varying periods of treatment. “Recovery” of activity was observed after the initial depression. A subsequent phase of hyperactivity occurred during treatment with 0.5 and 0.25 mg/kg while activity of the animals treated with 0.125 mg/kg became depressed and remained depressed during another 32 days of treatment. It is suggested that more than one action of reserpine should be considered in the explanation of these results. Supported by USPHS Grant MH 15490-01. Supported by USPHS Grant FR 05404.