Differences in the cataleptogenic actions of SCH23390 and selected classical neuroleptics

In an attempt to understand the nature of the interactions between D1 and D2 dopamine subsystems as well as between dopamine and acetylcholine, catalepsy was assessed in rats following various drug treatments. The D1-specific antagonist SCH23390 (0.1 mg/kg) produced prompt, potent and brief (less than 90 min) catalepsy with an ED50 of 0.105 mg (0.3 mumol)/kg. Conversely, fluphenazine (0.1 mg/kg), spiroperidol (0.1 mg/kg), and haloperidol (0.2 mg/kg) all had comparably potent but more slowly rising and prolonged (greater than 240 min) effects. The action of SCH23390 was synergistic with spiroperidol, inhibited by apomorphine or atropine, unaffected by mecamylamine, and markedly potentiated by pilocarpine. However, pilocarpine was unable to significantly potentiate the action of fluphenazine or spiroperidol. It is inferred that SCH23390 differs from the classical neuroleptics in its mechanism of cataleptogenicity, that there is a cholinergic link with the D1 dopamine system, and further, that there may be a difference in the nature or impact of the cholinergic interaction with the D1 and D2 dopamine systems.