Analysis of the effects of intra-accumbens SKF-38393 and LY-171555 upon the behavioural satiety sequence.

The outcome of intra-accumbens infusions of the dopamine D1 receptor family agonist SKF-38393 and the D2 receptor family agonist LY-171555 upon measures taken during the behavioural satiety sequence was assessed (0.01 micrograms, 0.1 micrograms, 1.0 micrograms in each case). Each drug was infused either separately, or together as a co-infusion in order to examine the functional relationship between these dopamine receptor subtypes within the nucleus accumbens. Measures of feeding did not change following infusions of SKF-38393 or LY-171555, whether infused separately or together. However, following separate infusion of the lowest dose tested of each drug (0.01 micrograms), the onset of resting was advanced. Moderate to high doses of SKF-38393 and LY-171555 (0.1 micrograms, 1.0 micrograms) infused separately resulted in a marked increase in activity at the expense of resting. Co-infusion of 0.01 micrograms of each drug also resulted in a dramatic increase in activity. Thus, measures of feeding behaviour were unchanged following excitation of D1 and D2 dopamine receptor families within the nucleus accumbens. In marked contrast, locomotor behaviour appeared to be under the potent synergistic control of these receptor families.