Possible muscarinic-cholinergic mediation of patterned aggressive reflexes in the cat

Abstract

• 1.

  1. Adult female outbred cats were prepared with chronic hypothalamic stimulating electrodes and ventricular cannulae.

• 2.

  2. Cats were restrained, and patterned aggressive reflexes of elicited head turning, biting, and paw striking to proximate stimulation were assessed under a variety of stimulation conditions.

• 3.

  3. In comparison with vehicle injection cholinergic stimulation by arecoline facilitated the three reflexes and cholinergic blockade by scopolamine inhibited them.

• 4.

  4. Cholinergic-muscarinic receptors may be involved as mediators of terminal (consummatory) behaviors in aggressive syndromes.