Neuroleptic-like effects of ceruletide and cholecystokinin octapeptide: interactions with apomorphine, methylphenidate and picrotoxin.

Haloperidol in low doses antagonized the apomorphine-induced cage-climbing behaviour of mice, whereas ceruletide (CER) and its analogue, Nle8-CER-(4-10) had very weak anticlimbing efficacy; Nle8-CER and diazepam were inactive. The ptosis caused by CER and cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) was antagonized by apomorphine in doses 27 times smaller than those effective against the haloperidol-induced ptosis. No such differences occurred when either methylphenidate or picrotoxin replaced apomorphine. Low-dose haloperidol was an antagonist to the antiptotic effect of apomorphine versus both CER and CCK-8. The rearing inhibiting effect of CER and haloperidol, in contrast to that of clonazepam, was very resistant to apomorphine. Methylphenidate was weakly effective against clonazepam and haloperidol but inactive versus CER. Picrotoxin was no antagonist to either rearing inhibiting agent. The results taken together suggest presynaptic sites of the dopaminergic system as important for the production of ptosis by CCK-like peptides.