Effects of quipazine in evoked potentials recorded in the cingulum of the cat.

The present study describes the changes in electroencephalogram (EEG), behavior, and visual evoked potentials (VEPs) recorded in some structures of the limbic system of freely moving cats which had been administered two different doses of quipazine through different routes (5 mg/kg i.p. and 10 mg/kg i.v.). After the low dose of quipazine, the EEG from the cingulum developed a 6 c/s spike and wave activity. The amplitude of the P150 component of VEPs in the cingulum recording increased, while the VEPs recorded in visual cortex were barely affected. Simultaneously the animals displayed exploratory movements towards objects undetected by observers. The changes found in the cingulum with the tested doses may be due to specific actions of the drug on the polysensorial pathways. The high dose produced a rage reaction accompanied by a generalized spiking, intermixed with high voltage-low frequency waves, and an increase in VEPs in all recorded structures. At high doses the drug may be producing a discordance between the sensorial pathways and those in charge of the emotional processes.