In 24h reserpine-treated mice, the locomotion induced by the D1 dopamine agonist SKF 38393 (30 mg/kg IP) was facilitated by the NMDA antagonists MK 801 (0.4 mg/kg IP), CPP (1 mg/kg IP), CGP 40116 (1 mg/kg IP) and HA 966 (2 mg/kg IP), and by the AMPA antagonist NBQX (0.2 mg/kg IP). By contrast, CPP, CGP 40116 and NBQX had no effect on, while MK 801 and HA 966 suppressed, the locomotion elicited by the selective D2 agonist RU 24213 (5 mg/kg SC). When these same doses of glutamate antagonists were tested against the locomotion induced by a threshold (0.025 mg/kg SC), intermediate (0.1 mg/kg SC) or large dose (0.5 mg/kg SC) of the mixed D1/D2 agonist apomorphine, CPP, CGP 40116 and HA 966 were found to have no significant effect, whilst MK 801 was strongly inhibitory and NBQX potentiated the response to 0.1 mg/kg apomorphine only. It is evident from these data that the behavioural interaction profiles between glutamate antagonists and dopamine agonists are complex and depend on the receptor selectivities of the drugs concerned. The manner of the interaction between these glutamate antagonists and selective D1 or D2 agonists, is not predictive of the way that blockade of glutamate transmission interferes with the actions of drugs which have combined D1 and D2 motor stimulant properties.