[Behavioral effects of NC-1100, 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-diphenylmethylpiperazinyl) ethanol dihydrochloride--on ambulatory activity, discrete lever-press response and shuttle avoidance response in mice].

Single administration of NC-1100 (3, 10 or 30 mg/kg, p.o.) produced no marked change in the ambulatory activity and discrete lever-press avoidance response. However, 100 mg/kg of this drug produced a toxic effect which was characterized by salivation, tremor, clonic convulsion, etc., but none of the mice died. NC-1100 enhanced the ambulation-increasing effect of methamphetamine (2 mg/kg, s.c.) at 3 and 10 mg/kg, while it failed to modify that of scopolamine (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.). NC-1100, at 100 mg/kg, suppressed both the established discrete lever-press and shuttle avoidance responses, probably due to non-specific and toxic effects. When NC-1100 at 10 mg/kg was administered, the response rate increased only in the shuttle avoidance situation in which the avoidance established mice were used. Furthermore, when NC-1100 at 30 mg/kg was administered immediately before the start of the training session, the avoidance rate increased. However, there was no marked change in the avoidance rate in the 2nd training session which was conducted 24 hr after the 1st training session without the drug administration. Additionally, the response rate increased in the 1st and 2nd training sessions after 10 and 30 mg/kg of NC-1100. The present results suggest that NC-1100 may show a behavior-facilitating effect, although its effect is mild and different from that of typical central stimulants such as methamphetamine.