Differential effects of selected dopaminergic agents on locomotor activity in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) exhibit a significantly higher level of spontaneous locomotor activity than age-matched normotensive controls (WKY). The direct-acting dopamine agonists, apomorphine and pergolide, produced a biphasic effect on locomotor activity levels in normotensive controls. Low doses of these agonists decreased activity levels, while higher doses of these agonists dramatically stimulated activity. In marked contrast to these results was the effect observed in the SHR, in which these agonists at all doses tested decreased activity. Amphetamine, a dopamine releaser, stimulated activity levels in both the WKY and SHR; however, the magnitude of the increase was somewhat attenuated in the SHR.