Jm. Vaugeois et al., INDIRECT DOPAMINE AGONISTS EFFECTS ON DESPAIR TEST - DISSOCIATION FROM HYPERACTIVITY, Pharmacology, biochemistry and behavior, 54(1), 1996, pp. 235-239
Both dexamphetamine and the pure dopamine reuptake inhibitor GBR 12783
elicit a stimulation of locomotion and increase swimming activity in
the behavioral despair test in mice. The dopamine D-1 dopamine recepto
r antagonist SCH 23390 dose dependently (7.5-30 mu g/kg SC) antagonize
d the stimulant locomotor effect of both drugs but did nor prevent the
ir antiimmobility effect on the behavioral despair test. The D-2 dopam
ine receptor antagonist haloperidol dose dependently (12.5-50 mu g/kg
IP) antagonized the effects of dexamphetamine on both locomotor activi
ty and behavioral despair test. By contrast, haloperidol inhibited the
effects of GBR 12783 in the forced swimming test but not on locomotio
n. It is concluded that indirect dopamine agonists are effective on th
e behavioral despair test independently of a stimulation of locomotor
activity. Their effects on the despair test depend on the stimulation
of D-2 but not D-1 dopamine receptors.