Dopamine D2 receptors and alpha1-adrenoceptors synergistically modulate locomotion and behavior of rats in a place avoidance task

The processing of spatial information is the focus of interest for many cognitive neuroscientists. Approximately 10 years ago, a novel behavioral paradigm called active allothetic place avoidance (AAPA) was designed allowing the simultaneous assessment of locomotor and spatial behavior. The present study describes the effect of the combined treatment of Long-Evans rats with alpha1-adrenergic and D2 antagonists prazosin (1 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg) and sulpiride (10 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg) on locomotion and avoidance behavior in the AAPA task. Results show that co-application of both drugs leads to disturbances in locomotion and avoidance in rats at the doses, which caused no impairments when administered independently. This finding suggests that both types of receptors act synergistically to regulate locomotion and possibly spatial behavior.