Dopaminergic supersensitivity at distant sites following induced epileptic foci.

Injection of ferric chloride (FeCl3) into the left amygdaloid nucleus of the rat produced partial complex seizures. Subsequent repeated apomorphine challenges revealed steady development of behavioral dopaminergic supersensitivity, above that observed in saline-injected controls. The behavioral supersensitivity observed in FeCl3-injected animals was accompanied by increases in 3H-spiroperidol binding in contralateral amygdala, striatum and ipsilateral nucleus accumbens. In contrast, saline-injected controls demonstrated bilateral decreases in 3H-spiroperidol binding in amygdala and striatum. The effects of FeCl3 injection on the behavioral dopaminergic supersensitivity and 3H-spiroperidol binding were eliminated when the anterior commissure was severed.