DECREASED POTENCY OF CNS DEPRESSANTS AFTER PROLONGED SOCIAL ISOLATION IN MICE

The duration of hypnosis induced by hexobarbital, pentobarbital, chloral hydrate or barbital was markedly reduced after prolonged social isolation of male mice. Hexobarbital and pentobarbital were affected more than chloral hydrate and barbital. The onset of barbital hypnosis was not affected. The in vitro metabolism of hexobarbital by hepatic microsomal enzymes was enhanced in isolated mice with an overall increase in liver weight. Mice deprived of social interaction gained righting reflex at a higher body level of hexobarbital as compared to the undeprived animals. These data show that chronic deprivation of social stimuli in mice increased the drug-metabolizing activity of hepatic microsomes and raised arousal levels such that CNS susceptibility to drugs was altered. © 1969 Springer-Verlag.