Aim
We aimed to create a rat model of drug-induced parkinsonism and tardive dyskinesia by chronic administration of haloperidol and examine the expression of direct and indirect pathway markers in the striatum of the model rats.
Conclusion
Both direct and indirect pathways are involved in haloperidol-induced movement disorders.
Methods
We treated 21 rats, 14 with haloperidol decanoate and 7 with placebo. The number of vacuous chewing movements per 2 min was counted, and haloperidol-treated rats were classified into two groups: mild and severe tardive dyskinesia. Other behavioral analyses were also conducted. After a 6-month treatment period, rat brains were removed, and protein expression was evaluated by Western blotting.
Results
All haloperidol-treated rats exhibited vacuous chewing movements. The frequency of exploratory behavior and rotarod test performance was lower in the mild and severe tardive dyskinesia groups. The number of vacuous chewing movements and frequency of exploratory behavior were positively correlated in haloperidol-treated rats. The expression of dynorphin, a direct pathway marker, decreased in the severe tardive dyskinesia group. The expression of enkephalin, an indirect pathway marker, decreased both in the mild and severe tardive dyskinesia groups. The expression of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors also decreased with haloperidol treatment.