The effect of dl-, l- and d-Propranolol on central monoamine neurones I. Studies on dopamine mechanisms.

dl, l- and d-Propranolol (20 mg/kg) did not change dopamine (DA) levels in various regions of the forebrain, but increased DA turnover in subcortical limbic regions such as nucleus accumbens, leaving DA turnover in nucleus caudatus and median eminence unaffected. Studies on neostriatal DA receptor activity using rotational behaviour showed that dl-propranolol (20 mg/kg) increased the action of d-amphetamine in this model. The alpha-adrenergic blocking agent piperoxane (5 mg/kg) preferentially increased DA turnover in nucleus caudatus. It is suggested that the antipsychotic action of dl-propranolol is related to an influence on limbic DA and not on neostriatal DA mechanisms.