Intranigral GABA antagonists produce dopamine-independent biting in rats

Behavioural effects following bilateral intranigral administration of GABA antagonists have been investigated. Bicuculline methiodide (BMI), picrotoxin and isopropylbicyclophosphate all induced biting behaviour, teeth-chattering and chewing. Sub-threshold doses for biting induced locomotor activity and sniffing. The strongest response was observed after injection into the caudal pars reticulata, whereas weaker effects were seen after injection into the rostral pars reticulata or the pars compacta. The biting induced by intranigral BMI was not antagonized by prior catecholamine depletion with reserpine plus alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine or by dopamine receptor blockade with haloperido. Concomitant intranigral injection of the GABA agonists muscimol and THIP, however, completely antagonized biting. Systemic GABAergic drugs also antagonized the BMI-induced biting: the benzodiazepine, diazepam and the GABA transaminase inhibitor, gamma-acetylenic GABE, were most effective, whereas muscimol was only partially effective and THIP was without effect. It is suggested that this animal model may be used for the evaluation of antidyskinetic drugs.