Anxiolytic-like effects of substance P fragment (SP1-7) in non-human primates (Callithrix penicillata)

The behavioral effects of the amino (N)-terminal fragment of substance P (SP1-7) on the marmoset (Callithrix penicillata) predator confrontation test of fear/anxiety were investigated. The test apparatus consisted of a figure-eight maze with three parallel arms interconnected at each extremity to a perpendicular arm. A taxidermized oncilla cat (Felis tigrina) was placed outside the maze facing one of its corners. Subjects were submitted to seven 30 min maze habituation trials (HTs), in the absence of the 'predator', and then to six 30 min treatment trials (TTs), in the presence of the 'predator', consisting of four doses of SP1-7 (5, 50, 250 and 500 mug/kg; IP), saline and sham injection. SP1-7 treatment reversed, in a dose-dependent way, the fear-induced avoidance behavior due to the predator's presence and increased the frequency of exploratory behaviors. Locomotor activity decreased during successive HTs, yet increased after all SP1-7 treatments. These results indicate that systemic administration of SP1-7 produces anxiolytic-like effects in marmosets tested in the predator confrontation model of fear/anxiety. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.