Pentobarbital, diazepam and bemegride: their effects on open-field behavior in the gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus).

Open-field activity was measured in female mongolian gerbils treated with pentobarbital, P-barb. (15 and 20 mg/kg) or diazepam, DZP (2,4 and 8 mb/kg), either when given singly or in combination with the analeptic bemegride, BMG (20 and 40 mg/kg). The results indicated that the addition of BMG normalized certain behaviors of the gerbils treated with P-barb. and DZP. The median effective doses of BMG in inducing convulsion and death respectively were 12.0 mg/kg and 22.5 mg/kg. A mutual antagonism is apparent since no animal died after treatment with the drug combinations and seizure activity was also very much reduced.