Possible dopaminergic involvement in biting compulsion induced by large doses of clonidine

The effects of amphetamine, scopolamine, phenoxybenzamine, haloperidol and clozapine on biting compulsion induced by large doses of clonidine were studied in mice. Clonidine-induced biting compulsion was potentiated by amphetamine and scopolamine, and inhibited by phenoxybenzamine, haloperidol and clozapine. It appears that biting compulsion elicited by clonidine is mediated by the stimulation of both noradrenaline and dopamine in the brain. Since clorapine, an atypical neuroleptic agent, inhibits this response, the possibility is discussed to use clonidine-induced biting compulsion to detect neuroleptic agents devoid of extrapyramidal side effects.