Intergeneric behavioral differences among methamphetamine treated mice.

Abstract

Methamphetamine sulfate was administered in acute and chronic experiments, either at constant or increasing doses, to mouse-like rodents belonging to various genera and strains; the behavioral effects arising in a pseudo-natural habitat are described. The animals studied were Onychomys leucogaster, Peromyscus maniculatus Bairdii, Microtus ochrogaster and four Mus strains, Mus musculus ICR, Mus musculus “Mo.”, Mus musculus C57BL/6J, and Mus musculus CF-1. Aggression, grooming, digging, contactual, sexual, sleeping, ingestive, exploratory and stereotypic behaviors were quantitated. Both similarities and differences in the behavioral responses to methamphetamine of the various mice types were noted. These responses are discussed as to their modification by tolerance or increasing doses. Certain neurological and behavioral aberrations due to methamphetamine were noted and correllations with the parameters of mice neurochemistry established in these laboratories are presented.