Diazepam and nicotine increase social interaction in gerbils: a test for anxiolytic action

The effects of two drugs with anxiolytic actions, diazepam (0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/kg) and nicotine (0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg) were examined on the time spent in social interaction by pairs of male gerbils. In a test arena lit by high light, diazepam (0.1 mg/kg) increased social interaction, without changing locomotor activity. Diazepam (0.3 and 1 mg/kg) produced a dose-related increase in locomotor activity, which reached significance at the higher dose. Nicotine produced a dose-related increase in social interaction, which reached significance at 0.5 mg/kg, but was without effect on locomotor activity. The specific increases in social interaction observed with diazepam and nicotine are similar to those seen in the well-validated social interaction test of anxiety in rats and suggest that social interaction in gerbils may also be used to screen for anxiolytic action of novel compounds.