Cholinergic potentiation of neuroleptic effects in the nucleus accumbens.

The CNS cholinergic agonist spiro-(1-methyl-4-piperidyl)-N-ethyl-succinimide (RS-86) potentiated the ability of typical neuroleptics to inhibit the hyperactivity induced by direct injection of dopamine to the nucleus accumbens of pargyline-pretreated rats. RS-86 did not augment the anti-dopamine actions of clozapine, an atypical neuroleptic. Tricyclic antidepressants alone or in combination with RS-86 had no effect on the hyperactivity. The antidepressants displayed moderate inhibition of dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase in homogenates of the limbic system relative to the neuroleptics.