Environmental and behavioral components of sensitization induced by the dopamine agonist quinpirole

Chronic intermittent injection of quinpirole (0.5mg/kg) to rats in a large non-standard open field (mirrored glass table without walls, 160 x 160cm and 60cm high) induces pronounced behavioral sensitization characterized by a 6-fold increase in locomotor distance and increased rigidity of travel along the same routes (path stereotype). Experiment 1 showed that equivalent treatment in the home cage induces much less sensitization of locomotor …