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Published on: February 10, 2012
Effects of nicotine on target biting and resident-intruder attack
Susan K Johnson1, Kirsten M Carlson, Jane Lee
1Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA.
Abstract:
The effects of acute administration of nicotine on target biting (defensive) and resident-intruder (offensive) attack of male mice were assessed. In the target biting procedure confined mice received tail shock on a fixed time, 2-min schedule. Under baseline conditions, biting attack directed toward an inanimate target occurred at three distinct rates. A high target biting rate (13.5 +/- 3.8 bites/15 sec) followed shock delivery, an intermediate biting rate (9.6 +/- 4.1 bites/15 sec) occurred during the inter-shock interval, and a low biting rate (1.0 +/- 0.5 bites/15 sec) occurred during a tone stimulus which signalled the impending shock. Nicotine (administered IP, 15 min presession) reduced post-shock and inter-shock interval target biting in a dose-dependent manner (ED50 values estimated at 0.13 and 0.14 mg/kg, respectively) but exerted more variable effects on target biting during the tone. In the resident-intruder paradigm the same mice were exposed to an intruder introduced into its home cage for a 10-min test session. Under baseline conditions, residents directed 20 +/- 3.2 biting attacks toward the intruder during the session with an average latency of 89 +/- 40 sec to the first attack. Nicotine caused a dose-dependent decrease in this attack behavior (ED50 values estimated to be 0.48 and 0.49 mg/kg, respectively). These observations are interpreted to indicate that nicotine has an increased potency at reducing "defensive" aggression.
Insights
Nicotine reduces both defensive and offensive aggression in male mice. The drug was more potent in decreasing defensive biting behaviors compared to offensive attacks.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Pharmacology
Background:
- Aggression is a complex behavior influenced by various neurochemical systems.
- Nicotine, a primary psychoactive alkaloid in tobacco, is known to modulate neurotransmitter systems involved in behavioral control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dose-dependent effects of acute nicotine administration on distinct types of aggression in male mice.
- To compare the potency of nicotine in reducing defensive versus offensive aggression.
Main Methods:
- Utilized two established animal models: target biting (defensive aggression) and resident-intruder paradigm (offensive aggression).
- Administered varying doses of nicotine intraperitoneally (IP) 15 minutes prior to behavioral testing.
- Quantified biting attack rates, latencies, and other relevant behavioral measures.
Main Results:
- Nicotine dose-dependently reduced target biting (defensive aggression) with estimated ED50 values of 0.13 and 0.14 mg/kg for post-shock and inter-shock intervals, respectively.
- Nicotine also dose-dependently decreased offensive aggression in the resident-intruder test, with ED50 values around 0.48-0.49 mg/kg.
- Nicotine showed greater potency in reducing defensive aggression compared to offensive aggression.
Conclusions:
- Acute nicotine administration exhibits anxiolytic-like effects, reducing both defensive and offensive aggression in male mice.
- Nicotine demonstrates significantly higher potency in suppressing defensive aggression, suggesting a specific modulatory role in this behavioral domain.
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