Psychopharmacology

, Volume 65, Issue 2, pp 149–154 | Cite as

Facilitation of self-stimulation of the prefrontal cortex in rats following chronic administration of spiroperidol or amphetamine

  • Ann Robertson
  • G. J. Mogenson
Original Investigations
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

The effect of chronic administration of spiroperidol, a dopaminergic antagonist, on self-stimulation of the prefrontal cortex was investigated. When spiroperidol was administered either before or after daily self-stimulation tests for 9 days, self-stimulation rates were significantly elevated for several weeks following withdrawal of the drug. Self-stimulation of the nucleus accumbens, supracallosal bundle, and other forebrain sites was not altered, suggesting that the increased self-stimulation of the prefrontal cortex was not due to increased motor activity. Self-stimulation of the prefrontal cortex was also facilitated by chronic administration of d-amphetamine whereas self-stimulation of the supracallosal bundle was suppressed and self-stimulation of the nucleus accumbens was unchanged. The results suggest that dopamine modulates self-stimulation of the prefrontal cortex. Additionally, the effects of chronic spiroperidol on self-stimulation of this structure may model the therapeutic effects of neuroleptics in humans.

Key words

Self-stimulation Prefrontal cortex Spiroperidol Amphetamine Dopamine 
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1979

Authors and Affiliations

  • Ann Robertson
    • 1
  • G. J. Mogenson
    • 1
  1. 1.Departments of Psychology and PhysiologyUniversity of Western OntarioLondonCanada

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