The role of D1 and D2 dopamine receptors in amphetamine-induced locomotor stereotypy

Abstract

D-amphetamine (AM) reliably produces behaviors in the rat consisting of periods of enhanced locomotion, focused stereotypies and repeated locomotor sequences (locomotor stereotypy). The nucleus accumbens (NAC) and caudate nucleus (CAD) appear to control AM-induced locomotion focused stereotypy respectively and both appear to be necessary for AM-induced locomotor stereotypy to occur. Specific types of dopamine blockers with actions at specific DA receptor subtypes were used to evaluate if either DA blocker reduced AM-induced locomotor stereotypy. A modified within groups repeated measure experimental design was used. The dopamine antagonists appear to have long term effects biasing all data collected after the first test day. All control groups were run on the 2nd test day. No within group treatment effects were significant using this data. To evaluate the hypotheses, a between groups experimental design will need to be done.