Phencyclidine and behavior: I. Sensory-motor function, activity level, taste aversion and water intake.

Phencyclidine (PCP) injections in rats at doses of 4 mg/kh increased activity level, which might have been a function of impaired habituation. At doses of 8 mg/kg PCP produced a marked reduction in activity level. At doses of 12 mg/kg and above there were profound disruptive effects in detection of odors, visual square and touch measures, and performance of placing reflexes requiring visuo-motor coordination, righting, grasping reflexes, and equilibrium. Decreases in water intake occurred only at higher dose levels of PCP (16 and 24 mg/kg). On a qualitative basis the changes observed in rats are similar to changes described for humans.