Comparison of the effects of three indirect dopamine agonists, GK 13, GBR 12783 and dexamphetamine on behavioural tests involving central catecholaminergic transmissions.

GK 13 (N-[1-(2-benzo (b) thiophenyl)-cyclohexyl] piperidine), GBR 12783 (1-[2-(diphenylmethoxy)-ethyl] 4-(3-phenyl propenyl)-piperazine and dexamphetamine are three indirect catecholaminergic agonists, acting via different neurochemical mechanisms. We have compared their effects in rodents, in several behavioral tests. All three drugs increased locomotion. The stimulant locomotor effect of dexamphetamine was more easily antagonized by haloperidol than that of GBR 12783 and GK 13. Only dexamphetamine reversed reserpine-induced akinesia. This reversal was prevented by pretreatment with either GK 13 or GBR 12783. The three drugs reduced pentobarbital sleeping time in mice. They induced rotation ipsilateral to a unilateral 6-OHDA lesion of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway. The stereotypies induced by GK 13 and GBR 12783 were essentially limited to sniffing. Haloperidol-induced catalepsy was apparently more easily antagonized by dexamphetamine than by GK 13 or GBR 12783. GK 13 and GBR 12783 had no significant effects on body temperature. The three drugs displayed an anti-immobility effect in the "despair test". Dexamphetamine and GK 13 reversed the hypothermia induced by apomorphine (16 mg/kg), as well as reserpine-induced hypothermia and reserpine-induced ptosis. Dexamphetamine induced a dose-dependent anorectic effect, whereas GK 13 and GBR 12783 induced only a brief and partial anorexia. Similar observations were made on water intake. Pretreatment with either GBR 12783 or GK 13 did not affect the dexamphetamine-induced anorexia. Effects of the three drugs are discussed by reference to their known neurochemical properties on catecholaminergic transmission.