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Experimental catalepsy is both enhanced and disrupted by apomorphine
Psychopharmacology
|January 1, 1985
Summary
Dopamine agonists like apomorphine can prevent pilocarpine-induced catalepsy in mice. Apomorphine, but not bromocriptine, also induced catalepsy when dopamine receptors were blocked or at low doses, suggesting specific receptor involvement.
Area of Science:
- Neuropharmacology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
Background:
- Catalepsy is a motorImmobility symptom observed in various neurological conditions.
- Dopaminergic pathways are implicated in motor control and catalepsy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of dopamine receptors in pilocarpine-induced catalepsy.
- To differentiate the effects of dopamine agonists apomorphine and bromocriptine on catalepsy.
Main Methods:
- Administration of pilocarpine, apomorphine, bromocriptine, and haloperidol to mice.
- Assessment of catalepsy using an inclined wire grid test.
- Evaluation of drug interactions and dose-dependent effects.
Main Results:
- Pilocarpine induced catalepsy, which was blocked by apomorphine and bromocriptine.
- Haloperidol induced mild catalepsy; apomorphine potentiated haloperidol-induced catalepsy, while bromocriptine did not.
- Low doses of apomorphine alone induced catalepsy, with peak effect at 5 minutes.
Conclusions:
- Apomorphine, unlike bromocriptine, can induce catalepsy under dopamine receptor blockade or at low doses.
- These findings suggest a subclass of dopaminergic receptors mediates catalepsy and potentially other hypomotility disorders.