Behavioral effects of neuroleptics, apomorphine and amphetamine after bilateral lesion of the locus coeruleus in rats.

Bilateral lesions of the locus coeruleus (LC) markedly increased susceptibility to the cateleptogenic effects of neuroleptics. The apomorphine-induced stereotypy was enhanced in rats with lesioned LC whilst amphetamine stereotypy was only slightly increased. No changes in locomotor activity have been observed in LC-lesioned rats treated with apomorphine and amphetamine. This data indicates that lesions of the LC produce decreased activity of dopaminergic brain neurons as well as supersensitivity of dopaminergic receptors.