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Effects of α‐methyl‐ p ‐tyrosine and l ‐DOPA on brain self‐stimulation and motor activity in rats
Author(s) -
Beaugrand J.,
St.Laurent J.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1973.tb08192.x
Subject(s) - hypoactivity , stimulation , endocrinology , medicine , alpha (finance) , hypothalamus , tegmentum , chemistry , lateral hypothalamus , central nervous system , midbrain , construct validity , nursing , patient satisfaction
Rats with electrodes implanted in the posterior lateral hypothalamus and ventromedial tegmentum were trained to self-stimulate. Animals were treated (i.p.) first with alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (alpha-MPT) and then L-DOPA; their self-stimulation rates and spontaneous behaviour were recorded. alpha-MPT (100 mg/kg) had an immediate and long lasting suppressive effect on self-stimulation, within the first half hour. L-DOPA administration failed to reinstate self-stimulation. Hypoactivity also followed alpha-MPT injections. While the behavioural changes were minimal after L-DOPA 50 mg/kg, a decrease of spontaneous activity and moderate hyper-reactivity were observed following L-DOPA at a dose of 200 mg/kg. Theoretical implications are discussed.