Effects of dihydroergotoxine on some dopamine-related behaviors in rats.
1. The effects of dihydroergotoxine on open-field behavior, apomorphine-induced stereotype and haloperidol-induced catalepsy were studied quantitatively in rats. 2. Dihydroergotoxine decreased the open-field behavior of rats, in a dose-dependent manner; this effect remained at least for 8 hr. 3. Dihydroergotoxine (10.0 mg/kg) caused a 1.40 leftward displacement of the dose-response curve constructed for apomorphine-induced stereotypy; the ED50 for apomorphine was reduced from 0.40 (+/- 0.05) to 0.29 (+/- 0.03). 4. Dihydroergotoxine (10.0 mg/kg) was unable to change haloperidol-induced catalepsy. 5. Results were discussed in the light of a possible interference of central noradrenergic systems with the expression of dopaminergic behaviors.