Differential effects of chronic clorgyline and amfonelic acid on desensitization of striatal dopamine receptors.

Chronic treatment of rats with the MAOI clorgyline significantly reduced the density (Bmax) of cortical beta-adrenergic receptors but did not alter either the Bmax or dissociation constant (Kd) of 3H-spiperone binding to striatal DA receptors. Clorgyline co-treatment also did not significantly affect either behavioral supersensitivity to apomorphine or the increase in 3H-spiperone binding induced by chronic haloperidol. In contrast, repeated treatment with the DA uptake inhibitor amfonelic acid elicited behavioral subsensitivity and reduced striatal 3H-spiperone binding. Furthermore, amfonelic acid co-treatment prevented haloperidol-induced behavioral and receptor binding changes. The possible relevance of these findings in relation to drug choice in clinical trials of receptor sensitivity modification are discussed.