Central administration of cocaine produces age-dependent effects on behavior in the fetal rat.
Rat fetuses were exposed to cocaine, lidocaine, or saline on Gestational Day 20 or 21 to provide information about cocaine effects on behavior during prenatal development. Cocaine was administered into the cisterna magna of individual fetal subjects to restrict effects to the CNS. Behavioral effects of cocaine were compared with lidocaine to help distinguish the effects of cocaine on monoamine systems in the brain from its properties as a local anesthetic. Cocaine promoted 3-5-fold increases in fetal motor activity in the absence of explicit sensory stimulation, in contrast to the slight suppressive effects of lidocaine. Cocaine and lidocaine also reduced coordinated behavioral responses to an artificial nipple. The behavioral effects of cocaine administered into the CNS of fetal subjects suggest specific mechanisms of action on developing neural and behavioral systems in the late prenatal period.
Simonik
D K
DK
Department of Psychology, Binghamton University, New York 13902-6000.
Robinson
S R
SR
Smotherman
W P
WP
D000818:Animals; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000196:embryology; D003042:Cocaine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005324:Fetal Movement / Q000187:drug effects*; D005865:Gestational Age; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D051381:Rats; D013391:Sucking Behavior / Q000187:drug effects
D008012:Lidocaine; D003042:Cocaine