Sleep induced by low doses of apomorphine in rats.
The effect of apomorphine on the EEG of freely moving rats was studied. Apomorphine at the dose of 1 mg/kg caused stereotypy and a marked reduction of total sleep. On the contrary, acute subcutaneous administration of apomorphine at the dose of 100 microgram/kg, or less, markedly increased the amount of total sleep (corresponding mostly to synchronized sleep). Moreover, the infusion of apomorphine (80 microgram/kg/h) for 4 h doubled the duration of slow and REM sleep. The hypnotic effect of apomorphine was prevented by neuroleptics, such as pimozide, benzperidol and L-sulpiride, at doses which, per se, did not modify the EEG of the animals. These results suggest the existence in the CNS of DA receptors mediating sleep.
D000818:Animals; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D001544:Benperidol / Q000494:pharmacology; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010868:Pimozide / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012895:Sleep, REM / Q000187:drug effects; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D013469:Sulpiride / Q000494:pharmacology
D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D010868:Pimozide; D013469:Sulpiride; D001544:Benperidol; D001058:Apomorphine