M. Kilbey, Robert T. Harris
2004
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Quality indicators
Journal
Psychopharmacologia
Abstract
DL-para-Chlorophenylalanine was administered to albino rats daily from within eight hours of birth for various lengths of time during the 30 day postnatal cortical development period. In experiment one, whole brain serotonin and plasma phenylalanine were measured 24 and 72 h post treatment in 7, 14, 21, and 28 day rats. The data are interpreted as supporting the hypothesis that DL-para-chlorophenylalanine may be used to institute the biochemical characteristics of phenylketonuria. The DL-para-chlorophenylalanine-treated Ss weighed significantly less at 14 days of age and thereafter and, also, were less strong. One hundred mg/kg DL-para-chlorophenylalanine was administered daily from birth through day 30 for experimental Ss of studies two and three. In experiment two maturation indices were reported to be retarded in drug-treated Ss for behaviors involving the skeletal-muscular system and activity measures were reported to be lower at 25, 45, and 121 days of age. Experiment three showed that acquisition of a conditioned pole climb avoidance and/or escape response measured at 180 days of age was poor in early drug-treated Ss. These data were interpreted as indicating that early DL-para-chlorophenylalanine-treated Ss show some degree of behavioral deficit at maturity.