[Effect of several psychotropic agents on changes in the behavior of mice induced by acetaldehyde]

Results of a study on the effect produced by 26 psychotropic agents on a complex set of behavioral changes in mice induced by introduction of acetaldehyde are presented. Experiments were conducted according to the method of Ortiz et al. (1973) who have proposed this test as a model of the abstinence syndrome. The effect of the agents was evaluated by removal of convulsions according to the Goldstein 4-point scale system (1972). In this respect the most effective proved tranquilizers, hypnotics, sodium oxybutyrate and ethanol. Little effective were neuroleptics and antidepressants. The model may be used in the screening of drugs when treating the abstinence syndromes in chronic alcoholism.