Specific modulation of brain stimulation reward by haloperidol

Low doses of haloperidol (3--18 micrograms/kg) caused dose related increases in reinforcing thresholds for self-stimulation to the medial forebrain bundle in rats. These effects, which were demonstrated completely independent of performance variables, indicate a direct modulation of central reinforcement processes by this drug, at doses which have highly selective action on dopaminergic neurotransmission.