Sensitization of amphetamine-stereotypy reduces plasma corticosterone: implications for stereotypy as a coping response.
The potential coping functions of amphetamine-induced stereotypy were investigated using a physiological index of stress or arousal, plasma corticosterone level. A series of five injections of d-amphetamine was used to enhance stereotyped behavior in control animals as well as in rats with bilateral dopamine-depleting lesions of the caudate-putamen. This regimen of amphetamine injections significantly increased stereotyped behavior and also reduced the normal elevation in corticosterone produced by treatment with d-amphetamine. This effect was apparent in both control and lesioned animals. These results support the hypothesis that amphetamine-induced stereotyped behavior functions to reduce stress or arousal and additionally suggest that this effect is largely independent of underlying dopaminergic mechanisms.
Mittleman
G
G
Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Cambridge, England.
Jones
G H
GH
Robbins
T W
TW
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000661:Amphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D000661:Amphetamine; D004298:Dopamine; D003345:Corticosterone