title: Differential effects of the selective D2-antagonist raclopride in the nucleus accumbens of the rat on spontaneous and d-amphetamine-induced activity.
abstract: The effect of the D2-antagonist raclopride was investigated in two test situations, which are presumed to involve dopamine (DA) transmission within the nucleus accumbens of the rat. Local injection of d-amphetamine sulphate (10 micrograms/0.5 microliter) produced a marked increase in motor activity, measured as motility, locomotion, and rearing, which was dose- and time-dependently antagonised by local injection of raclopride (0.05-5.0 micrograms/0.5 microliter). After an initial decrease, at low doses (0.05-0.25 microgram/0.5 microliter) an apparent enhancement of the d-amphetamine-induced motor activity appeared, which was most clearly seen with rearing. These lower doses, however, did not induce any clear changes in the exploratory activity in a novel environment (i.e., the second test situation). Only the higher doses used (1.0-5.0 micrograms/0.5 microliter) decreased exploratory activity during the first 5-10 min, also measured as motility, locomotion, and rearing. These data are discussed with respect to the role of D2-receptors within the nucleus accumbens of rats in the motor activity induced by a novel environment and d-amphetamine. Overall, the data underline previous notions that raclopride is a potent antagonist of DA-mediated behaviour.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychoneuropharmacology, Astra Alab AB, Södertälje, Sweden.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van den Boss
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Cools
authors.forename: S O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Ogren
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens; D020891:Raclopride; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000187:drug effects*; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D012457:Salicylamides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D012457:Salicylamides; D020891:Raclopride; D003913:Dextroamphetamine