Neuroleptic-induced attenuation of brain stimulation reward in rats.

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Abstract
In 30-min free-operant tests, the dopamine receptor blockers pimozide (0.125, 0.25 and 0.50 mg/kg) and (+)-butaclamol (0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg) attenuated lever pressing for lateral hypothalamic brain stimulation. When discrete self-stimulation trials were offered in a straight alleyway, pimozide increased start box latencies, slowed running speeds, and reduced lever-pressing rates. Performance early in both lever-pressing and runway sessions was normal; performance deteriorated as testing progressed, following patterns that paralleled those seen when animals were tested with reductions in the amplitude of stimulating current. Spontaneous recovery was obtained in both situations; experimenter-imposed 10-min time-outs caused renewed lever pressing and running. .alpha.-Noradrenergic receptor blockade by phenoxybenzamine (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) failed to produce extinction-like response patterns. Central dopaminergic systems are important components of the neural mechanisms mediating reward.

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