An attempt was made to assay the analgesic potency of haloperidol (.15, .30, 2.5, 5.0 mg/kg) in the rat, using the spatial preference technique. This drug was able to raise the aversive threshold in a dose-dependent manner in doses at or above .15 mg/kg. These same dosages, however, also significantly reduce the number of motor responses made during threshold testing. These results were interpreted to suggest that haloperidol produces its effects on the aversive threshold indirectly by inhibiting the execution of the escape response.
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