LONG-TERM BEHAVIORAL-EFFECTS OF TACLO TRICHLOROMETHYL-1,2,3,4-TETRAHYDRO-BETA-CARBOLINE) AFTER SUBCHRONIC TREATMENT IN RATS

-Trichloromethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline (TaClo), which show s a great structural similarity to 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydr opyridine (MPTP), when administered to rats lead to enhanced spontaneo us locomotor activity and a reduction in the apomorphine-induced incre ase in locomotion when they were tested 4-9 days after subchronic inje ction at a daily dose of 0.2 mg/kg over a seven week period. However, 9 weeks after the end of the course of injections animals walked more slowly during 12 hours of nocturnal activity, and apomorphine-induced locomotion was decreased 12 weeks later. These results suggest that th e drug may exert a progressive neurotoxic effect.