Pharmacological properties of centrally-administered agents which interfere with neurotransmitter function: a comparison with the central depressant effects of ouabain.

1. Centrally administered sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) produced hypothermia, central nervous depression and potentiation of the antinociceptive effect of morphine. These effects resemble those seen with centrally administered ouabain. Furthermore, the interactions of (+)-amphetamine, desmethylimipramine and nialamide with DDC and ouabain were similar.2. 6-Hydroxydopamine by the same route also produced central nervous depressant effects including hypothermia, decreased locomotor activity and catalepsy but not ptosis.3. Both ouabain and chlorpromazine produced similar effects on behaviour and body temperature including selective abolition of a conditioned avoidance response.4. Although centrally administered tetrabenazine produced ptosis, decreased locomotor activity and catalepsy, it had no significant effect on body temperature. However, the hypothermia produced by peripherally administered reserpine was reversed by centrally administered dibutyryl cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate.5. Centrally administered cocaine and desmethylimipramine produced no depressant effects but an increased excitability and responsiveness were apparent in both cases.6. Although the observed behavioural depression and hypothermia can occur independently both seem to involve an interference with dopaminergic systems.