Psychostimulant effects of cocaine are mediated partly by agonist actions at sigma-1 (s 1 ) receptors. Selective s 1 receptor antagonists attenuate these effects and provide a potential avenue for pharmacotherapy. However, the selective and high affinity s 1 antagonist PD144418 (1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-5-[3-(4-methylphenyl)-5-isoxazolyl]-1-propylpyridine) has been reported not to inhibit cocaine-induced hyperactivity. To address this apparent paradox, we evaluated aspects of PD144418 binding in vitro, investigated s 1 receptor and dopamine transporter (DAT) occupancy in vivo, and re-examined effects on locomotor activity. PD144418 displayed high affinity for s 1 sites (K i 0.46 nM) and 3596-fold selectivity over s 2 sites (K i 1654 nM) in guinea pig brain membranes. No appreciable affinity was noted for serotonin and norepinephrine transporters (K i .100 mM), and the DAT interaction was weak (K i 9.0 mM). In vivo, PD144418 bound to central and peripheral s 1 sites in mouse, with an ED 50 of 0.22 mmol/kg in whole brain. No DAT occupancy by PD144418 (10.0 mmol/kg) or possible metabolites were observed. At doses that did not affect basal locomotor activity, PD144418 (1, 3.16, and 10 mmol/kg) attenuated cocaine-induced hyperactivity in a dosedependent manner in mice. There was good correlation (r 2 5 0.88) of hyperactivity reduction with increasing cerebral s 1 receptor occupancy. The behavioral ED 50 of 0.79 mmol/kg corresponded to 80% occupancy. Significant s 1 receptor occupancy and the ability to mitigate cocaine's motor stimulatory effects were observed for 16 hours after a single 10.0 mmol/kg dose of PD144418.