Studies on the pharmacology of d-amphetamine on maximal electroconvulsive seizure in young chicks.

d-Amphetamine protected young chicks against electroconvulsive seizure (ECS) in a dose-dependent manner in the dose range of 1-10 mg/kg. Reserpine pretreatment reduced ECS threshold and decreased the anticonvulsant effect of d-amphetamine in chicks. FLA-63 protected chicks against ECS and potentiated the anticonvulsant effect of d-amphetamine, whereas the dopamine antagonist pimozide antagonised the protective effect of d-amphetamine against ECS. Both the alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist phentolamine, and the serotonin antagonist cyproheptadine, had no significant influence on the anticonvulsant effect of d-amphetamine. d-Amphetamine significantly increased the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine, noradrenaline and dopamine in the hyperstriatum, brain stem and optic tectum of the chick respectively. The present data suggests that brain dopamine may be the principal monoamine involved in the protective influence of d-amphetamine against ECS in young chicks.