[Neuropsychopharmacological effects of TCDD].

It has been found that TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin), in rats, endoperitoneally or orally administered at dose of 1-10 mcg/kg, provokes irritability, aggressivity and restlessness (increase of spontaneous crossings in the shuttle box). The TCDD does not modify the conditioned avoidance (C.A.) or the conflictual situation. In "vitro" the TCDD stimulates directly the striatal and hypothalamic adenylate cyclase of rat. The TCDD increases the stimulation produced by dopamine on striatal adenylate cyclase. Haloperidol (dopamine antagonist) inhibits the stimulation produced by TCDD. TCDD does not significantly modify the stimulation by hystamine on hypothalamic adenylate cyclase. Cimetidine (H2) antagonist) causes a remarkable increase of the TCDD stimulating effect.