Effects of diurnal phase and pimozide on cholecystokinin-elicited hypoactivity in the hamster

Locomotor activity in golden Syrian hamsters was measured following IP injections of cholecystokinin (CCK; 25 micrograms/kg) and pimozide (0.5 mg/kg), the dopamine receptor antagonist. In addition, animals were tested during either the dark or light phase of the diurnal cycle in either dark or light running wheel environments. Results indicated that CCK-elicited hypoactivity was blocked by pimozide and that the effect of CCK was evident only among animals tested during the light phase of the daily cycle. Ambient lighting conditions in the test environment did not modify the drug effects. Independently of any drug effect, locomotor activity was affected by diurnal phase and ambient lighting in the test environment. Animals were more active when tested during the dark phase than during the light phase and locomotor activity was higher under dark than under light ambient conditions. It is concluded that diurnal phase modulates CCK's effect on hamster locomotion and that CCK's effect on locomotion is mediated, in part, by dopaminergic mechanisms.