Evidence of the involvement of D1 dopamine receptors in PCP-induced stereotypy and ataxia in rabbits

• Published in: Pharmacological research 1990-03, Vol.22 (2), p.197-205
• Main Authors: Popoli, P., Caporali, M.G., De Carolis, A. Scotti
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Ataxia - chemically induced; Ataxia - physiopathology; Benzazepines - pharmacology; Biological and medical sciences; D1–D2 dopamine receptors; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug toxicity and drugs side effects treatment; Electroencephalography; L-PIA; Male; Medical sciences; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; phencyclidine; Phencyclidine - pharmacology; Phenylisopropyladenosine - pharmacology; Rabbits; Receptors, Dopamine - drug effects; Stereotyped Behavior - drug effects; Sulpiride - pharmacology; Toxicity: nervous system and muscle
• ISSN: 1043-6618; 1096-1186
• DOI: 10.1016/1043-6618(90)90716-Q

A behavioural study on the effects of D1 and D2 dopamine receptor antagonists (SCH 23390 and sulpiride respectively) and of an Al adenosine receptor agonist ( N 6- l-phenylisopropyladenosine, l-PIA) against phencyclidine (PCP)-induced effects was assessed in adult male rabbits. SCH 23390 (0·003–0·01 mg/kg i.v.) and sulpiride (12 · 5 mg/kg i.v.) were able to significantly prevent PCP induced stereotypy. Ataxia was reduced by SCH 23390 (0·003 mg/kg i.v.), while it was potentiated by sulpiride (12 · 5 mg/kg i.v. ). Given alone at 12 · 5 mg/kg, sulpiride induced some EEG and behavioural effects in rabbits, while SCH 23390 (0·003 and 0·01 mg/kg) did not. l-PIA prevented both PCP-induced stereotypy and ataxia at the dose (0 · 1 mg/kg i.v.) devoid of behavioural or EEG effects by itself. Our results suggest that Dl dopamine receptors might play a more important role than D2 receptors in the expression of PCP-induced behaviour. They also propose that Al adenosine receptors might be involved (e.g. via an influence on the dopamine release) in the behavioural effects of PCP.