The effect of some cholinolytic drugs on a number of behavioural parameters measured in the T-maze alternation test: Dose-response relationships

Conflict behaviour in a T-maze can be observed at the choice point, involving simultaneous tendencies to move left and right and in the goal box involving simultaneous tendencies to approach the reward and to return towards the choice point. Firstly, the effects of different doses (from 0.06 to 1 mg/kg) of the cholinolytic drug 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate on the alternation of choice directions and on the choice point conflict were studied. Secondly, the goal box conflict was studied following administration of different doses (0.03 to 1 mg/kg) of another cholinolytic drug N-methyl-4-piperidyl methylethynyl-glycolate. It was observed that the suppression of alternation to chance levels developed at similar dose levels as the intensification of the conflict behaviour. The present observations are in agreement with a previous dose-response study of 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate and behavioural conflict in a circular runway.