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

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Abstract

The effect of intracerebral administration of antagonists of dopamine and noradrenaline upon the locomotor stimulation induced by intraperitoneal injection of d-amphetamine sulfate in rats was investigated. Injection of low doses of the dopamine antagonist haloperidol (2.5 Μg and 5 Μg) 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 the beta-adrenergic antagonist propranolol into the nucleus accumbens. Injection of the same 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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, University of Nijmegen, Geert Grooteplein Noord 21, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    A. J. J. Pijnenburg, W. M. M. Honig & J. M. Van Rossum

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  1. A. J. J. Pijnenburg
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  2. W. M. M. Honig
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  3. J. M. Van Rossum
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Pijnenburg, A.J.J., Honig, W.M.M. & Van Rossum, J.M. Inhibition of d-amphetamine-induced locomotor activity by injection of haloperidol into the nucleus accumbens of the rat. Psychopharmacologia 41, 87–95 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00421062

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00421062

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