IN-VIVO AGONIST PROPERTIES OF 7-HYDROXY-N,N-DI-N-PROPYL-2-AMINOTETRALIN, A DOPAMINE D-3-SELECTIVE RECEPTOR-LIGAND

The selective dopamine D-3 receptor ligand 7-hydroxy-N,N-di-n-propyl-2 aminotetralin (7-OH-DPAT) produced stereotypical sniffing and climbing , increased locomotor activity, and caused 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned animals to rotate in a contralateral direction, behavioral effects hig hly predictive of dopamine agonist activity. In contrast, 7-OH-DPAT wa s inactive in the conditioned avoidance response, catalepsy, and anti- apomorphine test, animal models highly predictive of dopamine antagoni st activity. These results indicate that 7-OH-DPAT is an agonist at do pamine receptors in vivo. (C) 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.