Differentiation between MK-801- and apomorphine-induced stereotyped behaviors in mice.
Clinical neuropharmacology June 1, 1993 A Hitri, D A O'Connor, J M Cohen et al.
MK-801, a high-affinity analogue of phencyclidine (PCP), was given to mice to stimulate behaviors resembling those seen in schizophrenia. Apomorphine, a dopamine agonist, was also given to a separate group of mice for comparison. Visual observation showed that apomorphine caused intense gnawing and sniffing, while MK-801 did not produce gnawing. Automated measurements revealed frequent differences between the behaviors induced by the two drugs. The authors suggest that a compound which reduces PCP-stimulated behaviors but not apomorphine-stimulated ones might be an effective antipsychotic with fewer side effects than current dopamine-blocking drugs.