Similarities between the akinesia induced by carbachol microinjections into the pontine reticular formation and neuroleptic catalepsy

Zeev Elazar*, Milka Paz

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

We reported previously that microinjections of carbachol directly into the pontine reticular formation of rats induced intense akinesia. In the present article we report results of tests for rigidity, righting, bracing and clinging which were conducted with the purpose to characterize behaviorally this type of akinesia. After injections of 5-15 μg/0.5 μl of carbachol into the pontine reticular formation the rats were cataleptic, were not rigid when equilibrium was not challenged, had strong righting reflexes and strong bracing and clinging responses. This type of akinesia is different from the catatonia induced by systemic morphine (20 mg/kg IP), but similar to the catalepsy induced by systemic injections of haloperidol (5 mg/kg IP). It is thus suggested that the cataleptic state produced by topical carbachol in the pons is related to the dopaminergic mechanisms important for the cataleptic effect of the neuroleptic drugs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1373-1380
Number of pages8
JournalLife Sciences
Volume51
Issue number17
DOIs
StatePublished - 1992

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