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Updated: Sep 13, 2026
Free-Hand Intracerebroventricular Injections in Mice
Published on: January 12, 2024
Central effects produced by injection of 48/80 into the cerebral ventricles of mice
Abstract:
Injections of 20 to 30 mug. of 48/80 into the cerebral ventricular spaces of mice produced a condition of motor excitement termed "delirium ambulatorium." This condition was aggravated by previous intraperitoneal injection of tranquillizers, atropine, and promethazine, not affected by previous injection of mepyramine and abolished by a previous injection of pentobarbitone. When an intraperitoneal injection of strychnine was followed by an intraventricular injection of 48/80, the strychnine convulsions became more violent, but the pattern of delirium ambulatorium was not produced.
Insights
Compound 48/80 injected into mouse brains caused motor excitement, or "delirium ambulatorium." This effect was altered by various drugs, with pentobarbitone preventing it.
Area of Science:
- Neuropharmacology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
Background:
- Investigating the neurochemical basis of behavioral changes.
- Understanding the effects of specific compounds on central nervous system activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the behavioral effects of intraventricular compound 48/80 administration in mice.
- To examine the modulatory effects of pre-administered drugs on compound 48/80-induced behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Intraventricular injections of compound 48/80 (20-30 mug) into the cerebral ventricular spaces of mice.
- Administration of various pre-treatment drugs including tranquillizers, atropine, promethazine, mepyramine, pentobarbitone, and strychnine.
- Observation and recording of induced motor activity and behavioral patterns, specifically "delirium ambulatorium" and strychnine convulsions.
Main Results:
- Intraventricular compound 48/80 induced a distinct motor excitement state termed "delirium ambulatorium."
- Pre-treatment with tranquillizers, atropine, and promethazine aggravated this condition.
- Pentobarbitone abolished the "delirium ambulatorium" effect, while mepyramine had no significant effect.
- Concurrent administration of strychnine and compound 48/80 intensified convulsions but did not produce "delirium ambulatorium."
Conclusions:
- Compound 48/80 acts centrally to induce a specific behavioral syndrome in mice.
- The neurochemical pathways involved in "delirium ambulatorium" are modulated by barbiturates and other neuroactive agents.
- Compound 48/80 and strychnine exert distinct and non-overlapping effects on motor behavior.
