The influence of dopaminergic A10 neurons on the motor pattern evoked by substantia nigra (pars compacta) stimulation.

The influence of the mesolimbic-mesocortical dopaminergic (DA) system on the motor pattern evoked by substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) stimulation was studied. Electrical stimulation of the A10 group of neurons caused an inhibitory effect preferentially directed towards the orientation movement. Sulpiride administration at low dosages (50 mg/kg i.p.) did not modify this movement at the basal condition, but abolished the increase of its duration induced by ventral tegmental area (VTA) co-stimulation. Mesolimbic activation opposes the effects of SNpc stimulation, restraining the animal in its antero-posterior axis by means of orientation movement inhibition. The results suggest a role of the DA mesolimbic-mesocortical system in the maintenance of focused attention.