[Objective assessment of the effects of 5'5-diphenylhydantoin on cat motor activity].

The authors report the preliminary results of determinations of motor activity of cats receiving 5'5-diphenylhydantoin. The determinations were carried out by means of a special device recording all movements of the animals to ensure objective evaluation. Healthy cats were used for these experiments. They were giving DPH in doses up to 12 mg/kg daily, the maximal dose was reached gradually over a period of one month. It was found that in the observed time period several activity peaks occurred at night time from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. These peaks were a stable phenomenon in a given cat but they varied from one animal to another. Thus the results could be compared in one cat only. During administration of DPH afall of general activity to 50% occurred, the "great" activity was reduced or even disappeared completely, and the periods of increased activity were changed.