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Blood pressure, heart rate, and behavioral responses to psychological “novelty” stress in freely moving rats

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 April 2001

MAARTEN VAN DEN BUUSE ,
SASKIA A.B.E. VAN ACKER ,
MARC FLUTTERT  and
E. RONALD DE KLOET
MAARTEN VAN DEN BUUSE
Affiliation:
Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Baker Medical Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
SASKIA A.B.E. VAN ACKER
Affiliation:
Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Sylvius Laboratories, Leiden, The Netherlands
MARC FLUTTERT
Affiliation:
Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Sylvius Laboratories, Leiden, The Netherlands
E. RONALD DE KLOET
Affiliation:
Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Sylvius Laboratories, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Abstract

We developed a new model of psychological “open-field” stress in freely moving rats. Blood pressure and heart rate of the rats were measured by radiotelemetry and behavior analyzed by video tracking software. Open-field exposure induced marked increases in blood pressure and heart rate. Repeated daily exposure induced pressor responses that were slightly higher on Day 4 when compared to Day 1. Pretreatment with the β1-adrenoceptor antagonist atenolol inhibited the tachycardia whereas the ganglion blocker pentolinium inhibited the pressor response, indicating involvement of the sympathetic nervous system. Pretreatment with diazepam prevented the novelty stress-induced pressor response and reduced the tachycardia. These results show that the psychological stress of exposing rats to an open field induces marked cardiovascular effects that are mediated by sympathetic hyperactivity. This model is unique in that it focuses on psychological stress and allows concomitant measurement of blood pressure, heart rate, and behavior in freely moving rats.

Keywords

StressBlood pressureHeart rateSympatheticRatsBehavior
Type
Research Article
Information
Psychophysiology , Volume 38 , Issue 3 , May 2001 , pp. 490 - 499
Copyright
2001 Society for Psychophysiological Research

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