Intermittent neuroleptic treatment induces long-lasting abnormal mouthing in the rat.

Rats were treated either discontinuously or continuously with haloperidol. Only discontinuous treatment caused a long-lasting abnormal rise in the number of mouth movements. After termination of medication the animals were kindled electrically in the nucleus amygdala. The results suggest cross-sensitivity between discontinuous neuroleptic treatment and amygdala kindling. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis of a kindling-like sensitization to the dyskinetic-inducing side-effects of neuroleptic drugs following intermittent antidopaminergic treatment.