title: Effect of beta-phenylethylamine and d-amphetamine on electrical self-stimulation of brain.
abstract: beta-phenylethylamine (PEA) has been viewed as amphetamine-like in its effects on behavior. Support for this putative similarity of action has been derived primarily from observations that both of these structually related compounds increase locomotor activity in a dose-related manner and at higher doses evoke stereotypies. Since d-amphetamine (d-A) produces a dose-related increase in the rate of bar pressing for electrical stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle, the effect of PEA on this behavioral paradigm was examined. Male Long-Evans rats implanted with bipolar electrodes self-administered 250 msec 60 Hz constant current sine wave trains over a 30-70 micronA range of intensities in daily 20-min tests. Over a range of 1-40 mg/kg IP of PEA, a dose-related decrease in self-stimulation rate was observed; pretreatment with para-chlorophenylalanine or alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine did not alter the response to 2.5 or 3o mg/kg IP of PEA. Since within the dose range of PEA used in this study a dose-related increase in locomotor activity was observed, and since d-A increases self-stimulation rate at doses that increase locomotor activity, it would seem that there are qualitative differences in the actions of d-A and PEA on behavior.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D010134:Fenclonine / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008781:Methyltyrosines / Q000494:pharmacology; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010627:Phenethylamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D012653:Self Stimulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D008781:Methyltyrosines; D010627:Phenethylamines; D010134:Fenclonine; D003913:Dextroamphetamine