Restoration of self-stimulation inhibited by neuroleptics

Pimozide-induced inhibition of lever-pressing for brain stimulation in the lateral hypothalamic area was differentially restored by the centrally acting anticholinergic, dexetimide and by different dopaminergic drugs. In addition, a differential antagonism towards chlorpromazine-induced inhibition of self-stimulation was shown. The results indicate that anticholinergis (non-competitive antagonism) or drugs which enhance endogenous neuro-transmission by increased release or by uptake blockade (competitive antagonism) are able to reserve the neuroleptic-induced inhibition of self-stimulation more effectively than are receptor agonists.