Differences in the cataleptogenic actions of SCH23390 and selected classical neuroleptics

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Abstract
In an attempt to understand the nature of the interactions between D1 and D2 dopamine subsystems as well as between dopamine and acetylcholine, catalepsy was assessed in rats following various drug treatments. The D1-specific antagonist SCH23390 (0.1 mg/kg) produced prompt, potent and brief (240 min) effects. The action of SCH23390 was synergistic with spiroperidol, inhibited by apomorphine or atropine, unaffected by mecamylamine, and markedly potentiated by pilocarpine. However, pilocarpine was unable to significantly potentiate the action of fluphenazine or spiroperidol. It is inferred that SCH23390 differs from the classical neuroleptics in its mechanism of cataleptogenicity, that there is a cholinergic link with the D1 dopamine system, and further, that there may be a difference in the nature or impact of the cholinergic interaction with the D1 and D2 dopamine systems.