The behavioural effects of neuropeptide Y (NPY) injection into the rat brain frontal cortex

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of intracortical administration of neuropeptide-Y on the behaviour of rats. One week before the behavioural test the frontal cortex of rats was chronically implanted with intracerebral cannulae. Neuropeptide-Y (or saline in the control group) was injected in a volume of 1 microliter. After treatment the behaviour of the rats was tested in an open field apparatus and a light-beam actometer. The number of line crossings, episodes of rearing, sniffing, washing and head poking were counted. The results indicate that administration of neuropeptide-Y to the frontal cortex of rats slightly increased exploratory and locomotor activity.