Alterations of amphetamine elicited perseveration and locomotor excitation following acute and repeated stressor application.
The effects of acute and repeated stressor application on amphetamine-induced Y-maze perseveration and locomotor activity were assessed. When the stimulus context associated with an acute stressor (restraint or restraint plus shock) was distinctively different from that in which an amphetamine test was conducted 72 hr afterward, neither perseveration nor locomotor excitation were augmented. However, following three restraint sessions the amphetamine elicited perseveration was enhanced. With a more protracted regimen applied over 15 days the augmented perseveration was absent, whereas the amphetamine-provoked motor excitation was increased. While stimulus factors have been shown to be fundamental, it is provisionally suggested that the stressor induced enhancement of amphetamine-elicited perseveration is influenced by sensitization processes. However, the sensitization is apparent only under some stress regimens, and the behavioral expression of the sensitization may be obfuscated if the stressor is too severe. Furthermore, it appears that the mechanisms operative in enhancing the stressor provoked amphetamine motor excitation are independent of those which subserve the augmented perseveration.
D000661:Amphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D012149:Restraint, Physical; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology*
D000661:Amphetamine