[Comparison of the effects of several psychotropic drugs by gross behavioral observation on rhesus monkeys].

The pharmacological profiles of psychotropic drugs, chlorpromazine, diazepam, imipramine, morphine, barbital, cocaine, d-amphetamine, and LSD-25, at various doses were compared in terms of gross behavioral observations in rhesus monkeys. At each observation 4 monkeys maintained in group cages were used, with 2 out of 4 being administered the compound and the other 2 being administered vehicle as control. The findings were scored against predetermined criteria. In order to compare profiles, items to sensitively reflect the influence of psychotropic drugs were selected, namely apprehension, spontaneous motor activity, alertness, motor function, tremor, pupil size, and salivation. The preadministration scores of these items were subtracted from the corresponding scores at various time following administration, with the absolute values of all items at each time being added together and graphed. Next, the profiles during the peaks on the graphs were expressed as histograms. If the histograms of 2 or more drugs at 4 times their minimum effective doses showed common tendencies in 3 or more items, or if common tendencies were noted in only 2 items but with no opposing tendencies in any other items, these drugs were collected into a group. The result was the following classification by profile: 1) chlorpomazine, diazepam, morphine, barbital; 2) d-amphetamine, cocaine; 3) imipramine; 4) LSD-25. These results may be interpreted as indicating that the characteristics of the effects of psychotropic drugs may be determined by gross behavioral observation in rhesus monkeys.