BEHAVIORAL RESPONSES TO HALDOL AND SINEMET IN SQUIRREL MONKEYS.

Abstract

Two dopaminergic altering drugs, haloperidol and carbidopa + levodopa, and juice only conditions, were given to six squirrel monkeys in factorial combination with two novel environments and an alone condition. The point of this research was to assess differences in subjects' adaptation to various stimulus conditions under the differential influence of the two drug conditions. Control conditions for both drug and environmental variables were included in the design, which provided a baseline for comparison with active variables. Although no significant interactions between drugs and environments were found, some interesting reactions to the non-drug-laced vehicle were noted. The drugs, haloperidol and carbidopa-levodopa, have been used in many past comparative studies. However, the thrust of most research has been focused upon changes in movement capability, or deterioration of movement ability. Extrapyramidal side-effects, such as bizarre facial and tongue movement and postural changes, have generally been included in these investigations. Little attention has been placed upon adaptive change to novel environments, which may occur with these drugs. This research represents an initial investigation of such changes, an important consideration in view of their widespread use as therapeutic agents with humans.