Differential effects of haloperidol and clozapine on attention.
Haloperidol (0, 0.1, 0.3, or 1.0 mg/kg), the typical butyrophenone neuroleptic, decreased investigation of novel objects by gerbils following systemic injections. When given prior to apomorphine (1 or 3 mg/kg), haloperidol blocked apomorphine-induced disruption of selective attention in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, haloperidol acts like pimozide in this paradigm. In contrast, clozapine (0, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1.0, or 3.0 mg/kg), the atypical dibenzodiazepine neuroleptic, increased frequency of investigation both soon after injection and 24h later, suggesting interference with maintenance of attention. When given with apomorphine (1.0 mg/kg), clozapine did not block apomorphine effects on selective attention. The results are related to differential effects of these neuroleptics on other behaviors and to their individual pharmacological profiles.
D000818:Animals; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000494:pharmacology; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects*; D003024:Clozapine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003984:Dibenzazepines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005849:Gerbillinae; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
D003984:Dibenzazepines; D003024:Clozapine; D006220:Haloperidol; D001058:Apomorphine; D009638:Norepinephrine