Effects of chronic haloperidol and chlordiazepoxide treatment on lateral hypothalamic self-stimulation behavior in rats.
The effects of chronic administration of haloperidol and chlordiazepoxide for 14 days on self-stimulation behavior were investigated in rats with electrodes chronically implanted in the lateral hypothalamus. Haloperidol produced a prominent decrease in self-stimulation behavior during chronic treatment, followed by a significant increase in the lever-pressing rate during a 2 week withdrawal period, with a return to the control level about 5 weeks after drug withdrawal. Chlordiazepoxide produced a significant increase in self-stimulation behavior during chronic treatment. However, the lever-pressing rate was not significantly different from the control level during a 3 week observation period following drug withdrawal. These results indicate an increase in the sensitivity of central dopaminergic receptors following chronic haloperidol treatment, but not following chronic chlordiazepoxide treatment.
D000818:Animals; D002707:Chlordiazepoxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007026:Hypothalamic Area, Lateral / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012653:Self Stimulation / Q000187:drug effects*
D002707:Chlordiazepoxide; D006220:Haloperidol