Differential actions of classical and atypical neuroleptics on mouse nigrostriatal neurons

The classical neuroleptics haloperidol, perphenazine and chlorpromazine increase both dopamine metabolism and release in the mouse striatum. The atypical agents clozapine and thioridazine increase dopamine metabolism with no increase in release. At high doses, sulpiride increases both dopamine metabolism and release. These data suggest that atypical neuroleptics act to inhibit dopamine release and indicate that sulpiride may not be an atypical agent.