title: Suppression of HPA-axis activity by haloperidol after experimentally induced heat stress.
abstract: 1. Healthy male volunteers were exposed to either a heat condition (52 degrees C) or normal temperature (28 degrees C) receiving a single oral dose of 3 mg haloperidol or placebo in a double-blind design. 2. Ratings on aversiveness as well as on intensity of ambient temperature and saliva samples for determination of cortisol were sampled at defined intervals. Body core temperature and sweat loss were measured continuously throughout the three hour experiment. 3. Results indicate increased levels of cortisol after exposure to heat but not after a pretreatment with haloperidol. 4. The findings of this study suggest that D2-receptors of tuberoinfundibular neurons are blocked by haloperidol which suppresses the dopamine mediated release of vasopressin induced by dehydration and the subsequent stimulation of CRH.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Giessen, FRG.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hennig
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Rzepka
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mai
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Netter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003681:Dehydration / Q000503:physiopathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D006220:Haloperidol; D006854:Hydrocortisone