Effects of haloperidol, methyltyrosine and morphine on recovery from lesions of lateral hypothalamus.

In rats loss of body weight and lethality were measured after bilateral electrolytic lesions of the lateral hypothalamus. The rats with incomplete lesions initially lost body weight but recovered spontaneously. Treatment with haloperidourgery facilitated the recovery in those rats. The rats with more complete lesions lost body weight which resulted in eventual death. Treatment with haloperidol (4 mg/kg/day) or morphine (60 mg/kg/day) given daily for six days before surgery promoted recovery and reduced the incidence of death. The drugs used in this study inhibit activity of brain dopamine receptors to result in the supersensitivity and/or promotion of regenerative processes. These effects are considered to be related to the facilitation of recovery from nerve injury.