Asymmetric behaviour induced in caudate nucleus lesioned mice: interaction of aminergic and cholinergic agents

Mice with unilateral caudate lesions exhibit a postural asymmetry or turning towards the lesioned side after application of apomorphine and towards the intact side after oxotremorine injections. The apomorphine effect was counteracted both by oxotremorine and by physostigmine. Both this antagonism and the oxotremorine effect itself were abolished by scopolamine. Adamantine reduced the effectiveness of oxotremorine in inducing asymmetric behaviour. The antagonism of oxotremorine and apomorphine was shifted in parachloramphetamine pretreated mice to an increased apomorphine reaction mode. The significance of lesions became apparent by a 50% decrease of dopamine content in the lesioned side. The 5-hydroxytryptamine content was unchanged. Parachloramphetamine lead to a small alteration of the 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid content, different in normal and lesioned animals.