Effect of buspiron on formation of acquired helplessness

By decreasing anxiety and emotional stress, buspiron in doses of 1 and 5 mg/kg decelerates the formation of instrumental defense reflex and increases the incidence of acquired helplessness in rats trained under conditions of highly indefinite environment. Buspiron in a dose of 0.5 mg/kg apparently does not affect the optimal emotional background, thus promoting attaining the goal of conditioned reflex activity and not leading to an increase in the incidence of acquired helplessness.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]