Time course of pimozide effects on brain stimulation reward

Lever pressing for brain stimulation reward (BSR) was tested at hourly intervals following 0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg of pimozide given intraperitoneally. Response suppression was seen within one or two hours and peak effects occurred 5-8 hours after injection. Recovery approached completion within about 24 hours. Since peak brain levels of pimozide are reached quickly, the time course of peak action suggests a complex mechanism of pimozide action.