Dopamine D2 receptor blocking effect of imipramine in the rat hippocampus.

The effect of dopamine receptor agonists on the spontaneous bioelectrical activity of CA1 layer neurons in the hippocampal slice preparation from the rat brain was studied. Two groups of rats were used: control and imipramine-pretreated ones (twice a day, for two weeks, 10 mg/kg PO). Dopamine and the selective D2 receptor agonist quinpirole induced an excitatory reaction; a similar effect was evoked by amphetamine, an indirect dopamine agonist.