[Influence of lithium and rubidium on exploratory behaviour and locomotor activity in isolated male mice (author's...

The effect of lithium and rubidium on curiosity rearing, and locomotor activity in isolated and group-housed male mice (DBA/2 Han) was investigated. LiCl and RbCl were given with the drinking water (30 mol/l) during 3 weeks. The behaviour of the animals was tested before and after the chronical application of either lithium or rubidium. The results show that lithium was able to enhance the decreased curiosity of the isolated mice which now was no longer different from that of normal group-housed animals. The locomotor activity of the isolated animals was also increased by LiCl, while rearing was not altered. Rubidium even more decreased the already diminished curiosity of the 'fighting mice' but had no influence on rearing and locomotor activity. Three weeks after cessation of treatment the behaviour of the isolated mice returned to predrug levels. Neither lithium nor rubidium had any influence of the behaviour of animals kept in groups.