Effects of para-chlorophenylalanine upon brain stimulated affective attack in the cat.

Previous investigations of the effects of parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA) on affective attack have produced equivocal results. The present report examined the effects of PCPA upon attack elicited by electrical stimulation of the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus in the cat. Using a within-animals design and postdrug testing clear potentiation of affective attack patterns was observed for a number of the components of attack behavior (approach, use of forepaws, and biting). The present results may point to possible serotonergic involvement in the inhibitory control of several aspects of affective attack.