A novel procedure for dissociating the anatomical bases of the behavioral effects of amphetamine.
A novel operative procedure is described in which the same cannula may be used to administer drugs either to the caudate nucleus (CN) or to the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) of the rat. Microinjections of amphetamine (10 or 20 micrograms) into the CN produced a reliable and robust stereotyped response; when administered to the NAcc of the same animal the higher dose increased locomotor activity. The stereotypy following peripheral administration of amphetamine (5 mg/kg) was antagonised by infusions of haloperidol (30 micrograms) into the CN but not into the NAcc. Conversely, the locomotor activity following a lower dose of amphetamine (1 mg/kg) was antagonised by infusions of haloperidol (5 micrograms) into the NAcc but not into the CN. The results confirm earlier reports that different anatomical structures mediate the behavioral effects of low and high doses of amphetamine.
Department of Psychology, City of London Polytechnic.
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Towell
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Willner
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Muscat
D000661:Amphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D002421:Caudate Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000494:pharmacology; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000187:drug effects
D000661:Amphetamine; D006220:Haloperidol