We compared the effect of two selective dopamine D-1 receptor agonists, SKF 38393 ((+/-)-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-(1H)-3-benzazepine-7,8-diol HCl) and A68930 ((1 R,3S)-1-aminomethyl-5,6-dihydroxy-3-phenlisochroman.HCl), and;that of imipramine in the behavioural despair model of depression. The dopamine D-1 receptor agonists and imipramine showed an anti-immobility effect. Moreover we found that the 'antidepressant' effect of imipramine in the behavioural despair test was antagonized by SCH 23390, a selective dopamine D-1 receptor blocker. The results further support the hypothesis that dopamine D-1 receptor stimulation plays an important role in the mechanism of action of antidepressants and suggest that dopamine D-1 receptor agonists might be considered as potential antidepressant drugs.