Infusion of apomorphine into the dorsocentral striatum produces acute drug-induced recovery from neglect produced by unilateral medial agranular cortex lesions in rats.

Previous studies have shown that systemic administration of apomorphine is effective in producing acute drug-induced recovery from neglect induced by unilateral medial agranular cortex (AGm) lesions. More recent studies have demonstrated that recovery from neglect may be due to plastic changes occurring in the dorsal central striatum (DCS). Further, lesions of the DCS produce neglect that does not respond to systemic administration of apomorphine, suggesting that this area may be crucial for the therapeutic effects of apomorphine. In the present study, the behavioral effects of apomorphine infused into the DCS of animals with AGm lesion-induced neglect were examined to determine whether the DCS is a site of drug action. An infusion of 0.375 micro g of apomorphine into the DCS, but not a lateral striatal control area, was effective in producing acute recovery from neglect. The results of this study support the crucial role of the DCS in recovery from neglect induced by unilateral AGm lesions and suggest that the DCS may be an important site of action for the therapeutic effects of apomorphine. Because dopamine agonist therapy has been shown to be effective in humans with neglect, the results of the current study may represent an important step in the development of future pharmacotherapies.