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Pharmacologically Induced Behavioural Supersensitivity to Apomorphine

Nature New Biology volume 245, pages 262–263 (1973)Cite this article

An Erratum to this article was published on 18 January 1974

Abstract

THE interruption of synaptic transmission in the peripheral nervous system can result in a state of “denervation supersensitivity” to the subsequent administration of a neurotransmitter or its agonist1. Neurophysiological2–5 and behavioural6–3 evidence for supersensitivity of receptors of putative neurotransmitters in the central nervous system following surgical or pharmacological interruption of synaptic function has also been reported. Most behavioural studies following pharmacological interference with synaptic function have, however, not demonstrated supersensitivity to an exogenous transmitter agent or agonist by a shift in the dose-response relationship, which is considered an important criterion of supersensitivity1. We have investigated whether chronic pretreatment with anti-adrenergic drugs would enhance a stereotyped behavioural response believed to be mediated by dopamine10. Apomorphine was used to produce stereotyped behaviour as it is believed to have a direct action on dopamine-receptors in the striatum11,12.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychiatric Research Laboratories, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02114

    DANIEL TARSY & ROSS J. BALDESSARINI

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  1. DANIEL TARSY
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  2. ROSS J. BALDESSARINI
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TARSY, D., BALDESSARINI, R. Pharmacologically Induced Behavioural Supersensitivity to Apomorphine. Nature New Biology 245, 262–263 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio245262a0

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