Repeated neurotensin administration in the ventral tegmental area: effects on baseline and D-amphetamine-induced locomotor activity.
Microinjections of neurotensin (NT) into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the rat increases locomotor activity. This effect on locomotion is potentiated by daily infusions of NT; in contrast a different injection schedule, i.e. every 48 h, had no such effect. In addition, daily NT injections in the VTA do not alter the locomotor response to a relatively low dose (0.5 mg/kg) of D-amphetamine. These results provide further evidence that NT can modulate the mesolimbic dopamine pathway.
D000818:Animals; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D008032:Limbic System / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D009496:Neurotensin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013681:Tegmentum Mesencephali / Q000187:drug effects*
D009496:Neurotensin; D003913:Dextroamphetamine