Benzamides and classical neuroleptics: comparison of their actions using 6 apomorphine-induced effects

The effects of 6 benzamides and 8 classical neuroleptics were studied on 6 different apomorphine-induced effects. These drugs did not antagonize all the effects in the same way. The differences are discussed according to the two types of dopaminergic receptor hypothesis. Some apomorphine-induced effects (stereotyped behavior, circling behavior, climbing behavior, and increased motor activity) could be related to stimulation of one type of dopaminergic receptor, other effects (hypothermia and decreased activity) to the other type. Pimozide, sulpiride, thioproperazine, GRI 1665 and TER 1546, could block selectively one type of dopaminergic receptor, at least in a given range of doses. Clozapine, chlorpromazine, levomepromazine, and thioridazine, could block selectively the other type of dopaminergic receptor. Haloperidol, metoclopramide, prochlorperazine, sultopride, and tiapride, could block both types of dopaminergic receptors with equal intensity whatever the dose.