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Locomotor-activating effects of the D2 agonist bromocriptine show environment-specific sensitization following repeated injections

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Abstract

Biphasic effects of bromocriptine (2.0, 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 mg/kg IP) on locomotion were quantified in photocell activity boxes in rats. Following early suppression of activity, bromocriptine produced a clear, dose-dependent increase in locomotion that lasted several hours. When a low dose of bromocriptine (5.0 mg/kg) was administered daily over a 3-week period, the locomotor-activating effects of the drug showed progressive enhancement over days. The sensitization was environment specific; rats administered bromocriptine six times in the home cage showed no sign of a sensitized response to bromocriptine when subsequently tested in the activity box. Thus, selective stimulation of D2 receptors stimulates locomotion and sensitizes animals to subsequent injections, just as do the indirect-acting dopamine agonists cocaine and amphetamine.

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  1. Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, 1455 de Maisonneuve Boulevard W., H3G 1M8, Montreal, Canada

    Diane C. Hoffman & Roy A. Wise

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  1. Diane C. Hoffman
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  2. Roy A. Wise
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Hoffman, D.C., Wise, R.A. Locomotor-activating effects of the D2 agonist bromocriptine show environment-specific sensitization following repeated injections. Psychopharmacology 107, 277–284 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02245148

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02245148

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