Acute and chronic effects of clomipramine on isolation-induced aggression in male mice

The behavioral effects of clomipramine were studied on an ethopharmacological model of aggression. A range of low doses (similar to those used in clinical practice: 1.5, 3, and 6 mg/kg) and a higher dose (24 mg/kg—more usual in animal experimentation) were administered to isolated male mice that confronted anosmic opponents in a neutral arena. Encounters were staged 30 min after acute treatment and either 30 min or 24 h after the last drug administration in the chronic (21-day) treatment. Significant behavioral effects were observed predominantly with the highest dose. Acute and chronic effects were similar in the sense that both decreased aggressive behavior and produced some impairment of…