Dose-response effects of scopolamine on activity in an open field.

The frequency of the responses, i.e., squares entered (ambulation), rearing and grooming, were recorded over 30 min for saline, and 0.25, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mg/kg scopolamine treated groups. Scopolamine produced an inverted U dose-response curve for ambulation, an increase in rearing but no effect on grooming. All three responses decreased over time; scopolamine did not attenuate this rate of habituation. There did appear a dose-related time effect. It was concluded that scopolamine may have different effects on various responses recorded simultaneously over a range of doses. The results when compared to other experiments emphasized the importance of environmental factors in determining drug effects on behaviour.