D-2 but not D-1 dopamine agonists produce augmented behavioral response in rats after subchronic treatment with methamphetamine or cocaine.
A study was performed to examine behavioral response to a challenge of selective dopamine D-1 and D-2 agonists in rats previously sensitized by subchronic administration of methamphetamine or cocaine. Rats in three groups received repeated injections (IP) of saline, methamphetamine (4 mg/kg/day) or cocaine (20 mg/kg/day), respectively, for 14 days. After an abstinence period of 7-13 days, all groups were challenged with either a selective D-1 agonist (SKF 38393) or D-2 agonists (quinpirole or RU 24213). The ability of SKF 38393 (6 mg/kg or 18 mg/kg) to produce grooming behavior did not differ significantly among the saline-, methamphetamine- and cocaine-treated groups. In contrast, quinpirole (1 mg/kg) and RU 24213 (3 mg/kg) produced more intense stereotypy consisting of rearing, sniffing and repetitive head movement in the two psychostimulant-treated groups than in the saline-treated group. Such augmented response to selective D-2 agonists was observed even after a 1-month abstinence period. These results suggest that the enduring behavioral sensitization induced by two pharmacologically distinct psychostimulant agents, methamphetamine and cocaine, occurs through a common neurobiological mechanism of lasting supersensitivity in postsynaptic D-2, but not D-1 dopamine receptors.
Ujike
H
H
Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Medical School, Japan.
Akiyama
K
K
Otsuki
S
S
D015647:2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D003042:Cocaine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004873:Ergolines / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010627:Phenethylamines / Q000494:pharmacology; D019257:Quinpirole; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000187:drug effects*; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D013997:Time Factors
D004873:Ergolines; D010627:Phenethylamines; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D019257:Quinpirole; D008694:Methamphetamine; D015647:2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine; C016868:N-n-propyl-N-phenylethyl-4(3-hydroxyphenyl)ethylamine hydrochloride; D003042:Cocaine