Effects of subchronic phencyclidine on behaviour of female rats on the elevated plus maze and open field

Abstract

Female hooded-Lister rats received either sub-chronic phencyclidine (PCP) (2 mg/kg, n=20) or vehicle (1 ml/kg, n=20) i.p. twice daily for seven days, followed by a seven-day washout period. Rats were challenged with acute PCP or vehicle and tested for locomotor activity to ensure hyperactivity was observed in the sub-chronic PCP treated rats. Rats were then tested on the elevated plus maze and in an open field for 10 minutes. Sub-chronic PCP did not significantly affect behaviour on the elevated plus maze or in the open field. In conclusion, sub-chronic PCP does not induce anxiety-like behaviour.