title: The differential effects of morphine, oxotremorine and antipsychotic drugs on DOPAC concentrations in rat brain.
abstract: The effects of morphine and oxotremorine on concentrations of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in the rat striatum and tuberculum olfactorium (TO) have been compared with the effects of the antipsychotic drugs haloperidol, chlorpromazine and clozapine. All the drugs elevated DOPAC concentrations in both brain regions. While the dose-response curves for the antipsychotic drugs were parallel, had steep slopes and similar maxima, the curves for morphine and oxotremorine were irregularly shaped but the curve for morphine in the TO had some similarity to that of the antipsychotic drugs. From these findings, it is concluded that the dose-dependent increase in striatal DOPAC effected by antipsychotic drugs can be used to differentiate them from other drugs known to elevate dopamine metabolites.
mesh_terms: D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009830:Olfactory Bulb / Q000378:metabolism; D010095:Oxotremorine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010648:Phenylacetates / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010648:Phenylacetates; D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid; D010095:Oxotremorine; D009020:Morphine