The behavioral and neurochemical effects of phencyclidine in humans and animals: some implications for modeling psychosis.

Phencyclidine (PCP) produces a psychotic reaction in humans which closely resembles an acute episode of schizophrenia and has therefore been given an increasing amount of attention as a model for schizophrenia. The present article reviews the behavioral and neurochemical effects of PCP in both humans and animals. Where possible, comparisons are made between the effects of PCP and amphetamine. The merits of the dopamine versus NMDA/PCP receptor mediated expression of PCP-induced psychosis are discussed, as well as the importance of selecting behavioral models which are best suited to model the expression of psychosis, rather than the motor effects of psychotomimetics.