Dopaminergic mechanisms in self-inflicting biting behavior.

Dopaminergic mechanisms involved in self-inflicting biting behavior (SBB) were investigated in two animal models: monkeys with unilateral ventromedial tegmental (VMT) lesions of the brainstem and rats with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions of the nigrostriatal dopamine (DA) neurons. The administration of mixed D1/D2 DA agonists to some monkeys with unilateral VMT lesions of the brainstem elicits SBB of the forelimb digits contralateral to the lesion and spasticity of the contralateral hindlimb. This behavior is prevented by pretreatment with the selective D1 antagonist SCH 23390 and with the D1/D2 antagonist fluphenazine. The combined administration of the D1 DA agonist SKF 38393 with the D2 DA agonist quinpirole produces SBB at doses that were ineffective when these drugs were administered individually. The intrastriatal (middle ventrolateral area [MVL]) microinjection of the D1/D2 DA agonist apomorphine (Apo) to rats with unilateral 6-OHDA lesions elicits SBB. This behavior is not prevented by systemic administration of SCH 23390 and partially prevented by the selective D2 antagonist raclopride. However, the combined administration of SCH 23390 and raclopride completely prevents the Apo-induced SBB. Thus, the pharmacological characteristics of the DA agonist-induced SBB in monkeys with unilateral VMT lesions of the brainstem seem to differ from those induced by intrastriatal (MVL area) administration of DA agonists into rats with 6-OHDA lesions of the nigrostriatal DA neurons. The role of DA neuronal systems in the expression of SBB in Lesch-Nyhan syndrome and in some patients with mental retardation, as well as the link between hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) deficiency and abnormal dopaminergic function in Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, is discussed.