Indirect evidence for a feedback loop mechanism between two central dopaminergic pathways: Preliminary results

The release of DA in the DA mesolimbic pathway has been shown to be the site and mode of action of d-amphetamine-induced hypothermia in rats maintained at 4 °C. In order to solve the apparent paradox that both dopaminergic agonists and DA receptor blocking agents (i.e., chlorpromazine) cause hypothermia, an hypothesis was suggested that there is a neuronal feedback loop which operates between the two DA central pathways. The increased hypothermia observed after treatment with chlorpromazine and d-amphetamine is inhibited in rats in whom an incision was made separating the striatum from the olfactory tubercles. Such an incision may interrupt the hypothesized neuronal feedback loop between the mesolimbic and nigrostriatal DA pathways.