Long-lasting behavioral effects of bromocriptine in cats

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Ethology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Bromocriptine (BC) is a dopamine receptor agonist with known central nervous system effects.
• Understanding the behavioral pharmacology of BC is crucial for its therapeutic and potential psychoactive applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the dose-dependent behavioral effects and duration of action of bromocriptine (BC) in a feline model.
• To characterize the specific behaviors induced by BC, including hallucinatory-like and involuntary movements.

Main Methods:

• Cats were habituated to outdoor cages for prolonged ethological observation.
• 12 behaviors were scored over 12 hours post-BC administration (6-60 mg/kg i.p.).
• Cats were observed at 24, 30, 36, and 48 hours post-drug for extended effects.

Main Results:

• BC induced hallucinatory-like behavior, escape responses, and abnormal involuntary movements in a dose-dependent manner.
• Lower BC doses (6-20 mg/kg) caused arousal, while higher doses (30-60 mg/kg) led to decreased arousal.
• Peak effects, including behavioral suppression, were observed as late as 96 hours post-injection for the highest dose (60 mg/kg).

Conclusions:

• Bromocriptine (BC) elicits complex behavioral changes in cats, mimicking psychoactive substances like LSD and psilocybin.
• The duration of BC's behavioral effects can be significantly prolonged, especially at higher doses.
• This feline model provides a valuable tool for studying the neurobiological underpinnings of BC's psychoactive properties.