AGING AND THE REGULATION OF STRIATAL DOPAMINERGIC MECHANISMS IN MICE

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  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 219  (3) , 695-700
Abstract
Compensatory responses of striatal dopaminergic mechanisms to chronic drug treatment were tested in C57BL/6J and C57BL/6NNia male mice during the adult lifespan (5, 12 and 24-26 mo.). Chronic treatment with haloperidol (dopamine antagonist) (1.2 or 2 mg/kg per day for 21 days) induced supersensitivity in younger mice (5 and 12 mo.) as monitored by increased striatal spiroperidol binding sites and increased intensity of apomorphine-induced stereotyped behavior; old mice were unaffected. Chronic treatment with bromocriptine (dopamine agonist) (15 mg/kg per day for 7 days) induced desensitization at all ages, as monitored by reduced spiroperidol binding sites and reduced intensity of stereotyped behavior.