Inhibition of d-amphetamine-induced locomotor activity by injection of haloperidol into the nucleus accumbens of the rat

Psychopharmacologia. 1975;41(2):87-95. doi: 10.1007/BF00421062.

Abstract

The effect of intracerebral administraton of antagonists of dopamine and noradrenaline upon the locomotor stimulation induced by intraperitoneal injection of d-amphetamine sulfate in rats was investigated. Inj ection of low doses of the dopamine antagonist haloperidol (2.5 mug and 5 mug) bilaterally into the nucleus accumbens antagonized the locomotor stimulation following d-amphetamine. No significant inhibition was observed following administration of the alpha-adrenergic antagonist phentolamine or thhe beta-adrenergic antagonist propranolol into the nucleus accumbens. Injection of the dame doses of haloperidol into the caudate nucleus did not inhibit the d-amphetamine induced locomotor activity in contrast to the effects seen following injection into the nucleus accumbens. The results confirm the significance of dopaminergic mechanisms for the locomotor stimulant effect of d-amphetamine and indicate that the mesolimbic dopamine system plays an important role in this respect.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caudate Nucleus / physiology
  • Depression, Chemical
  • Dextroamphetamine / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Dextroamphetamine / pharmacology*
  • Dopamine Antagonists
  • Haloperidol / administration & dosage
  • Haloperidol / pharmacology*
  • Injections
  • Male
  • Motor Activity / drug effects*
  • Norepinephrine / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Olfactory Bulb / physiology*
  • Phentolamine / pharmacology
  • Propranolol / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Stereotaxic Techniques
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Dopamine Antagonists
  • Propranolol
  • Haloperidol
  • Dextroamphetamine
  • Norepinephrine
  • Phentolamine