A review of 25 years of the social interaction test

Author: File, S.E.; Seth, P.

Description: The social interaction test of anxiety was developed 25 years ago to provide an ethologically based test that was sensitive to both anxiolytic and anxiogenic effects. It is sensitive to a number of environmental and physiological factors that can affect anxiety. It has detected anxiogenic effects of peptides such as corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and anxiolytic effects of neuropeptide Y and substance P receptor antagonists. It has successfully identified neuropharmacological sites of action of anxiogenic compounds and drug withdrawal. Effects of compounds acting on the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) systems have been extensively investigated after both systemic administration and microinjection into specific brain regions. The use of this test has, thus, played a crucial role in unravelling the neural basis of anxiety. It is hoped that in the next 25 years, the test will play a crucial role in determining the genetic basis of anxiety disorders.

Subject headings: Animals; Anti-Anxiety Agents/pharmacology; Anxiety/chemically induced/metabolism/psychology; Behavior, Animal/drug effects; Brain/physiopathology; Disease Models, Animal; Environment; Neuropeptides/metabolism/pharmacology; Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism/pharmacology; Social Behavior; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/etiology/psychology; Social interaction test

Publication year: 2003

Journal or book title: European Journal of Pharmacology

Volume: 463

Issue: 1-3

Pages: 35-53

Find the full text : https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0014299903012731

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Type: Journal Article

Serial number: 1187