Central muscarinic activation elicits compulsive drinking behaviour in the rat
Schiavone, A.; Prudentino, A.; Giachetti, A.
Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 39(4): 304-306
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-3573 PMID: 2884297 Document Number: 290702
Injection of bethanechol into the lateral cerebral ventricle of the rat induces a marked increase in drinking, within 30 min from administration. The response is dose-related, maximal water intake (6.1 .+-. 0.55 mL; mean .+-. s.e.) occurring at 10 .mu.g of bethanechol. Peripheral administration of the agonist (up to 3 mg kg-1 i.p.) fails to elicit drinking. Among several specific antagonists only antimuscarinic drugs produced a significant inhibition of the response, suggesting that the compulsive drinking behaviour in the rat is caused by activation of central muscarinic receptors. The drinking behaviour emerges as a reliable test to assess central muscarinic activity of both agonists and antagonists.