Related Experiment Videos
Behavioral effects of ivermectin in mice
J A Davis1, R Paylor, M P McDonald
1Animal Health Care Section, NINDS, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-2130, USA.
Laboratory Animal Science
|July 14, 1999
Summary
Ivermectin treatment in mice did not impact general health or basic motor skills. However, this anthelmintic drug can subtly affect sensitive behavioral tasks, requiring careful consideration in research settings.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Ivermectin is a widely used anthelmintic drug in laboratory rodents.
- It is commonly employed to treat pinworm and mite infestations in mice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of ivermectin on sensitive behavioral tasks in mice.
- To assess the drug's impact during routine mite treatment within a barrier facility.
Main Methods:
- Ivermectin administered in drinking water to mice (129/SvEv, C57BL/6J, AKR/J strains) for 8 weeks.
- Evaluated body weight, locomotor activity (open field), motor coordination (rotarod), acoustic startle, prepulse inhibition, and spatial learning (Morris water task).
Main Results:
- Ivermectin did not significantly alter general health, body weight, motor coordination, or spatial learning.
- A small but statistically significant effect was observed on certain sensitive behavioral measures.
Conclusions:
- Researchers should exercise caution when using ivermectin for mite treatment in mice intended for sensitive behavioral experiments.
- The drug's subtle effects on behavior warrant careful consideration in experimental design.