ANXITANE (R) tablets reduce fear of human beings in a Laboratory model of anxiety-related behavior

作者：Araujo Joseph A^*; de Rivera Christina; Ethier Jennifer L; Land**erg Gary M; Denenberg Sagi; Arnold Stephanie; Milgram Norton W

来源：Journal of Veterinary Behavior-Clinical Applications and Research, 2010, 5(5): 268-275.

DOI：10.1016/j.jveb.2010.02.003

• anxiety
• behavior
• fear
• human interaction test
• l-theanine
• laboratory model
• open field

Anxiety and fear are common underlying factors in many canine behavior problems that impair the human-pet bond and often result in abandonment, relinquishment, or euthanasia. A combination of behavioral and pharmacological interventions is used to ameliorate the behavioral signs associated with anxiety-related behaviors in dogs, but there continues to be need for effective interventions. The current study examined the effects of the nutraceutical ANXITANE (R) (L-Theanine) chewable tablets on fear of unfamiliar human beings. We first characterized clogs as anxious on the basis of the existence of a fear response to human beings in their home-pen. We then demonstrated that dogs characterized as anxious (N = 10) showed reduced interaction with an unknown human being as compared with normal controls (N = 7). The effect of an administration of ANXITANE tablets (N = 5) on these anxious Beagle dogs was compared with placebo (N = 5). Objective behavioral measures of anxiety were obtained using an open-field test, a human interaction test, and an actiwatch protocol that allowed monitoring of activity over 24-hours. The ANXITANE (R) tablets-treated dogs showed greater human interaction and approach than the placebo control group, and no side effects related to treatment, including motor stimulant or sedative effects, were seen. The current study suggests that ANXITANE (R) tablets are effective for reducing fearful behavior toward unfamiliar human beings in dogs and supports their use for treating anxiety-related behaviors.

• 出版日期2010-10