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Different dopaminergic mechanisms for amfonelic acid, amphetamine and apomorphine
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
|October 1, 1980
Summary
Rats trained to distinguish apomorphine effects found that n-propylnoraporphine mimicked apomorphine's properties. Other drugs like d-amphetamine did not, suggesting different dopamine mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Apomorphine is a dopamine receptor agonist used to study dopaminergic pathways.
- Understanding drug discrimination is crucial for elucidating neurotransmitter system functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the discriminative stimulus properties of apomorphine in rats.
- To compare the effects of d-amphetamine, amfonelic acid, and n-propylnoraporphine to apomorphine.
Main Methods:
- Rats were trained on a two-lever operant task to discriminate between apomorphine and saline.
- Generalization and perseverance of stimulus effects were measured.
- Dose-response relationships for tested compounds were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Neither d-amphetamine nor amfonelic acid produced apomorphine-like discriminative effects.
- N-propylnoraporphine (0.1 or 0.2 mg/kg) produced stimulus properties similar to apomorphine (0.16 mg/kg).
- Behavioral data suggest differential mechanisms of dopaminergic action.
Conclusions:
- Apomorphine, d-amphetamine, and amfonelic acid may exert their dopaminergic effects through distinct mechanisms.
- N-propylnoraporphine may act at multiple dopaminergic sites.