Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 11, 2026
Testing Animal Anxiety in Rats: Effects of Open Arm Ledges and Closed Arm Wall Transparency in Elevated Plus Maze Test
Published on: June 29, 2018
Absence of sibutramine effect on spontaneous anxiety in rats
Silvana S Frassetto1, Isis O Alves, Marislane M Santos
1Universidade Luterana do Brazil, Canoas, RS, Brazil. vana@terra.com.br
Unlabelled:
INTRODUSTION: Sibutramine has been described as a drug recommended for treatment of obesity, since it has the ability to inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and noradrenaline in the central nervous system, thereby increasing energy expenditure.
Objective:
Investigate the anxiogenic and anxiolytic effects of acute and chronic treatment with sibutramine in rats submitted to the task of the elevated plus-maze.
Methods:
Diazepam was used as a positive control for the anxiolytic effect, and the task of the elevated plus-maze showed sensitivity to detect the effect. In the chronic treatment, sibutramine was ingested for a period of two months.
Results:
The acute and chronic treatments at the studied dose, which is described to produce a maximum effect of anti-obesity in rats, did not interfere with anxiety.
Conclusions:
The acute and chronic administration of sibutramine is not related to anxiolytic or anxiogenic effects.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Anxiolytic Drugs: Benzodiazepines and Buspirone
01:26Anxiolytic Drugs: Overview
Primary Types of Anxiolytic Drugs
1. Benzodiazepines:
Benzodiazepines bind to the GABA-A receptor in the brain, enhancing GABA's interaction. This action reduces neurotransmission, effectively blocking anxiety-associated limbic circuitry.