title: Increased sensitivity to amphetamine and facilitation of amphetamine self-administration after 6-hydroxydopamine lesions of the amygdala.
abstract: The effects of 6-OHDA lesions of dopamine terminals within the amygdala were investigated on i) (+) amphetamine-induced locomotor hyperactivity and ii) the acquisition of intravenous self-administration of (+) amphetamine. The lesioned rats exhibited increased locomotor activity in response to (+) amphetamine (0.75 and 1.5 mg/kg), but not at the higher dose (3 mg/kg). Self-administration of (+) amphetamine was also significantly greater than in controls. Biochemical analysis of the 6-OHDA-induced lesions of the amygdala indicated increased turnover of dopamine (DOPAC/DA) in the nucleus accumbens. We hypothesize that the behavioural effects were mediated by amygdala-accumbens interactions.
mesh_terms: D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D000661:Amphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000679:Amygdala / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006892:Hydroxydopamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens; D016627:Oxidopamine; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012646:Self Administration; D013563:Sympathectomy, Chemical
chemical_list: D006892:Hydroxydopamines; D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid; D016627:Oxidopamine; D000661:Amphetamine; D003913:Dextroamphetamine; D009638:Norepinephrine