Accumbens microinjection of LY 171555 and sulpiride: effects on circling behaviour, in the rat.

In rats with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesions of the substantia nigra (pars compacta) and amphetamine i.p. some parameters of the rotational activity, following intra-accumbens microinjection of D2 agonist (LY 171555) and antagonist (sulpiride), have been analyzed. An increase in the number of turns was observed with LY 171555, whereas sulpiride determined a decrease. The type of circling was also analyzed: D2 agonist induced a very close turn around the central axis of the animal and D2 antagonist a close turn in the centre of the cage. Data were compared with control condition, which exhibited a large turn around the walls of the cage. The results show that pharmacological manipulation of nucleus accumbens influences rotational behaviour with a specific role for D2 receptors.