One injection of cocaine produces a long-lasting increase in [3H]-dopamine release.
A single cocaine exposure has been reported to sensitize animals to the behavioral effect of subsequent cocaine administration for up to one week. We now report that a single injection of cocaine results in an augmentation in amphetamine-induced release of tritium from rat striatal slices preloaded with [3H]-dopamine. The augmentation appears within 24 hr and persists for at least 2 weeks after injection. This increase in release may result in increased synaptic concentrations of dopamine possibly caused by a change in the membrane transporter for dopamine. Increased dopaminergic synaptic transmission could explain behavioral sensitization.
Peris
J
J
Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver 80262.
Zahniser
N R
NR
D000818:Animals; D003042:Cocaine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013997:Time Factors
D003042:Cocaine; D003913:Dextroamphetamine; D004298:Dopamine