Post-amphetamine depression of self-stimulation responding from the substantia nigra: reversal by tricyclic antidepressants.
The effects of long-term amphetamine treatment were examined on self-stimulation responding from the substantia nigra. Rates of self-stimulation responding were substantially depressed among rats chronically treated with amphetamine and tested in the absence of the drug. When rats were subsequently retested after a two day hiatus in which they received imipramine or amitriptyline, the post-amphetamine depression of rates of self-stimulation responding was mitigated. The efficacy of imipramine and amitriptyline in reversing the post-amphetamine depression of self-stimulation responding was also evident during a continuation of the drug (imipramine or amitriptyline)/test sequence, for seven test sessions. The results of the present investigation were related to changes in dopamine and acetylcholine neurotransmission following long-term amphetamine treatement.
D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000494:pharmacology; D000661:Amphetamine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007099:Imipramine / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D012653:Self Stimulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000502:physiology*
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D000639:Amitriptyline; D000661:Amphetamine; D007099:Imipramine