The role of the substantia nigra in the locomotor stimulant action of amphetamine

1. The electrolytic brain lesion technique was used to evaluate the role of the substantia nigra in the mediation of the locomotor stimulant effect of (+)-amphetamine in the rat. The effect upon the results of variations in strain and basal activity levels of the rats was assessed.2. In the immediate postoperative phase the lesioned animals developed spontaneous stereotyped behaviour patterns which were more intense in rats of initially high basal activity. Activity was depressed at this stage and only that of the low activity animals was stimulated by amphetamine.3. After the 2nd postoperative day rats with lesions of the substantia nigra developed hyperactivity, but this was only maintained in rats initially of low basal activity. During this stage the locomotor stimulant effect of amphetamine (1.0 mg/kg) was apparent and after the 9th postoperative day animals generally displayed an increased sensitivity to the drug effect.4. The involvement of the substantia nigra with the control of locomotor activity is indicated but its integrity would not appear essential for the mediation of the locomotor stimulant effects of amphetamine.