Amphetamine induces depletion of dopamine and loss of dopamine uptake sites in caudate.
Long-lasting depletion of dopamine and concomitant loss of dopamine uptake sites follow repeated administration of methylamphetamine to rats. We found similar effects after similar treatment with d-amphetamine, but not after treatment with methylphenidate. Methylphenidate also failed to produce long-term depletion of regional catecholamine levels in rhesus monkeys. These long-lasting alterations of the dopaminergic system suggest that amphetamines or their metabolites have toxic interactions with dopaminergic neurons, which do not occur with methylphenidate.
D000818:Animals; D002421:Caudate Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects*; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D000882:Haplorhini; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000494:pharmacology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000187:drug effects*
D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D008774:Methylphenidate; D003913:Dextroamphetamine; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine