Neuroleptic-induced emotional defecation: effects of scopolamine and haloperidol.

Most investigators have found a decrease in emotional defecation in rats given neuroleptics in novel environments, supporting their action as a major tranquilizer. We have found, however, that in rats a profound increase in emotional defecation can result from neuroleptic administration in well habituated environments, such as the homecage. Anticholinergics are known to be effective in treating the side effects associated with neuroleptic administration in humans. Therefore the present study determined the effects of anticholinergic treatment in this animal model. In male rats, defecation was measured for a 1-h test period in their homecage following various doses of the central and peripheral anticholinergics, scopolamine, and n-methylscopolamine, respectively. A decrease in fecal excretions and an attenuation of haloperidol-induced defecation was found following administration of scopolamine. n-Methylscopolamine reduced defecation at all doses. When n-methylscopolamine was combined with haloperidol, both fecal mass and number decreased significantly. Since both anticholinergic agents reduced haloperidol-induced defecation it is suggested that their effectiveness is mediated through peripheral mechanisms.

The topography of amphetamine and scopolamine-induced hyperactivity: toward an activity print.

The increased locomotor activity induced by systemic injections of d-amphetamine or scopolamine in rats was studied in Digiscan Animal Activity Monitors. This multifactorial analysis of locomotion demonstrated that activity measures of horizontal (ambulatory), vertical (rearing), stereotypic, and rotational behaviors differed depending on dose and drug. The topographies of these activity variables may be unique for the dopaminergic and cholinergic systems underlying hyperactivity. These results are a first step toward a needed increase in the sophistication of behavioral pharmacological techniques, allowing for the development of specific activity prints for different classes of psychoactive agents.

Amphetamine-induced on- and off-wall rearing in adult laboratory rats.

Recently, Bauer reported that amphetamine did not increase rearing behavior in adult rats. This result is at variance with many earlier reports demonstrating that amphetamine does increase rearing behavior. Because Bauer's automated measure only detected rearing when it occurred on the wall of the cage, it is possible that amphetamine only increased rearing behavior that occurred off the wall, which was not measured in his study. Bauer also included non-habituated animals in his study which might account for the discrepant results. The present experiment was performed to determine if, indeed, there was a difference between amphetamine induced on- and off-wall rearing and to determine to what extent habituation affected both types of rearing. The findings demonstrated that both types of rearing increased following d-amphetamine administration for both habituated and non-habituated animals. However, at the highest dose of d-amphetamine studied (4 mg/kg) rearing occurred mainly on the wall. Additionally, rearing behavior was found to increase following amphetamine when measured in the Digiscan Animal Activity Monitoring system which detects, but does not discriminate between, both on- and off-wall rearing.

Haloperidol-induced emotional defecation: a possible model for neuroleptic anxiety syndrome.

The neuroleptic haloperidol was found to produce increased defecation in laboratory rats when tested in well habituated environments. It is well known that haloperidol induces catalepsy through antagonism of striatal dopaminergic receptor mechanisms. When another cataleptic agent, morphine, was tested, no significant increases in defectation were detected. Another study focused on the possible role of peripheral dopamine receptor sites within the gastrointestinal tract on neuroleptic-induced defecation. When the peripheral dopamine receptor antagonist domperidone was tested, no significant differences in fecal elimination were recorded. Thus, it appeared that the cataleptic state per se, or the peripheral effects of haloperidol did not seem to be responsible for the increased defecation. Defection is often used as an index of emotionality. The fact that this measure increased following administration of a major tranquilizer suggested the need to study more directly the relationship of this phenomenon of defecation with the affective state of the animal. In a control study it was found that the antianxiety agent benzodiazepam did not by itself influence defecation. However, those animals which were pre-injected with diazepam followed by haloperidol did not show increased defecation. Thus under certain circumstances, normal rats given haloperidol show "emotional defecation" which seems to reflect increased anxiety. This finding may serve as a basis for the development of an animal model for some of the atypical side effects of major tranquilizers, such as akathisia, dysphoria, and neuroleptic anxiety syndrome.

Pharmacist competency certification in aminoglycoside dosing.

A pharmacist competency-certification program was developed to train and evaluate newly hired pharmacists, provide continuing education and skills development for staff pharmacists, and standardize clinical pharmacy practice at a 940-bed teaching hospital. A pretest, self-teaching module, and written final examination were developed; the total program can be completed in approximately one month. The self-teaching module contains 37 pages of factual material on the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, antimicrobial spectra, cost, relative toxicities, and dosing and monitoring techniques for aminoglycoside antibiotics. The pretest and final examination consist of 20 multiple-choice questions based on actual patient cases. Following its initial implementation, 21 of 49 staff pharmacists elected to complete the program. There was an equal representation of pharmacist trainees, novice pharmacists, and experienced clinical pharmacists. All three groups demonstrated improvement over pretest scores. The trainees and novice pharmacists showed the greatest improvement. This program defines a standard of practice and provides a continuing-education tool. Because of its success, the program has been mandated in the orientation of all clinical pharmacists.

Computerized attendance surveillance to reduce absenteeism.

Computerized data on absenteeism were used as a basis for employee counseling and disciplinary action, and the effect of this program on absenteeism was assessed. In the pharmacy department of an 1100-bed tertiary-care hospital, a microcomputer program provides weekly print-outs of number of occurrences of absence, reason for absence, and total hours absent for each employee. When an employee is within 10 absent hours or one occurrence of exceeding departmental absenteeism standards, these data are used in informal counseling. If absenteeism standards are exceeded, oral or written warning is given within one week after the violation. Absenteeism among pharmacists and technicians was compared for a 90-day period after implementation of this program and the same period during the year before implementation. The computerized attendance-surveillance program was associated with decreases in the mean number of absence occurrences for both pharmacists and technicians, fewer warnings issued to each group, and an increase in the mean number of hours worked.