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The influence of various neuroleptic drugs on shock avoidance responding in rats

III. Amphetamine antagonism in the discriminated sidman avoidance procedure

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Summary

The inhibitory effects of four neuroleptic drugs on amphetamineinduced stimulation in a discriminated Sidman avoidance procedure in rats were measured. Amphetamine 0.63 mg/kg s.c. increased R (responses) and decreased W (warning stimuli), WR (warning responses) and S (shocks). Relatively low doses of all four neuroleptics antagonized the amphetamineinduced changes. The order of potency was haloperidol > pimozide > chlorpromazine > pipamperone. The duration of action was pimozide > haloperidol > pipamperone > chlorpromazine.

Haloperidol, pimozide and pipamperone restored the amphetamine-induced changes to the initial control levels in the order: S, W, WR and R. With chlorpromazine this order was reversed, except for R.

The different pharmacological profiles of haloperidol, pimozide and pipamperone are discussed.

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Niemegeers, C.J.E., Verbruggen, F.J. & Janssen, P.A.J. The influence of various neuroleptic drugs on shock avoidance responding in rats. Psychopharmacologia 17, 151–159 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00402705

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