EFFECTS OF A SINGLE ADMINISTRATION OF BUSPIRONE ON CATALEPSY, YAWNING AND STEREOTYPY IN RATS

In the present study, the effects of a single administration of buspirone (0. 1, 0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 mg/kg sc-30 min before testing) on three dopamine-related behaviors were evaluated in 4-month old male Wistar rats (7-10 animals per group). Buspirone decreased haloperidol (2.0 mg/kg ip)-induced catalepsy in a dose-dependent manner (from 7.30 to 5.09 In of s compared to the untreated control group). Apomorphine (0-06 mg/kg sc)-induced yawning was also dose-dependently reduced (from 26.7 to 0.9 yawns in 30 min) and so was apomorphine (1.0 mg/kg sc)-induced stereotypy (from 32.9 to 5.9, sum of scores). The present results indicate that buspirone presents unique pharmacological effects related to dopaminergic transmission not only in biochemical but also in behavioral terms.ESCOLA PAULISTA MED SCH,DEPT FARMACOL,RUA BOTUCATU 862,EDIFICIO JOSE LEAL PRADO,BR-04023 SAO PAULO,BRAZILESCOLA PAULISTA MED SCH,DEPT FARMACOL,RUA BOTUCATU 862,EDIFICIO JOSE LEAL PRADO,BR-04023 SAO PAULO,BRAZILWeb of Scienc