Evidence for a selective brain noradrenergic involvement in the locomotor stimulant effects of amphetamine in the rat.
Male rats received the noradrenaline neurotoxin DSP4 (50 mg/kg) 7 days prior to injection of D-amphetamine (10 or 40 mumol/kg i.p.). The hyperactivity induced by D-amphetamine (10 mumol/kg) was significantly reduced by DSP4 pretreatment. However, the increased rearings and the amphetamine-induced stereotypies were not blocked by pretreatment with DSP4. The reduction of amphetamine hyperactivity induced by DSP4 was blocked by pretreatment with the noradrenaline-uptake blocking agent, desipramine, which prevents the neurotoxic action of DSP4. The present results suggest a selective involvement of central noradrenergic neurones in the locomotor stimulant effect of amphetamine in the rat.
D000818:Animals; D001596:Benzylamines / Q000494:pharmacology; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D003891:Desipramine / Q000494:pharmacology; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
D001596:Benzylamines; C012102:DSP 4; D003891:Desipramine; D003913:Dextroamphetamine; D009638:Norepinephrine