Effects of methamphetamine on novelty-seeking behaviour by mice

The effects of several doses from 0.125-3 mg/kg of methamphetamine on the novelty-seeking behaviour of male Swiss albino mice were studied. Methamphetamine induced a dose-dependent inhibition of novelty preference. Furthermore, a dose of methamphetamine (1 mg/kg) which strongly decreased novelty preference in naive mice induced a significantly lower decrease in exploration of subjects previously exposed to novelty. These data provide some support for Berlyne's (1967) suggestion that amphetamine has a disruptive effect on exploration by producing over-arousal.