Summary
The stimulation of locomotor activity induced by caffeine was studied in mice, grouped 3 by 3. Atropine, 8 mg/kg, which by itself did not appreciably stimulate locomotor activity, markedly increased the hyperactivity elicited by 10 mg/kg caffeine. Benztropine also increased the locomotor stimulation observed after caffeine. However, the stimulatory effect of benztropine alone, in contrast to atropine, was apparent even at low doses. Physostigmine, 0.1 mg/kg preceeded by N-methylatropine, 1 mg/kg, slightly if at all decreased the normal locomotor activity. However, it significantly diminished the stimulation elicited by caffeine. Some animals were treated with reserpine, 10 mg/kg, 6 h beforehand. The reserpineinduced suppression of locomotor activity was reversed by combined treatment with ET 495 and clonidine, agents assumed to stimulate central dopamine and noradrenaline receptors, respectively. This reversing effect was increased by caffeine. Atropine or physostigmine did not appreciably affect the ET 495+ clonidine reversal, nor did they change the effect of caffeine. It is suggested that the cholinergic influence on the normal as well as the caffeine-stimulated locomotor activity requires the cooperation of central catecholamine neurons.
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Waldeck, B. Modification of the caffeine-induced locomotor stimulation by a cholinergic mechanism. J. Neural Transmission 35, 197–205 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01258951
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01258951