Central administration of corticotropin releasing factor induces long-term sensitization to D-amphetamine.
Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) has been shown to initiate neuroendocrine and behavioral responses to stress. As stress and amphetamine (AMPH) show cross-sensitization, we investigated the role of endogenous CRF in behavioral sensitization to D-AMPH. In order to evaluate the participation of the central action and the pituitary-adrenocortical (PA) stimulatory effect of CRF, we compared the effects of repeated intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of CRF (0, 0.5, 2.5 micrograms/2 microliters), which have central and neuroendocrine consequences, with those of repeated subcutaneous administration of CRF (0, 0.1, 0.5, 2.5 micrograms/250 microliters), doses which only stimulate the PA axis, on the development of sensitization to AMPH-induced motor activation administered 1 week later. Repeated i.c.v. administration of CRF induced a long-lasting enhancement of the hyperactivity induced by 0.75 mg/kg peripheral administration of D-AMPH, whereas no sensitization to D-AMPH was observed following repeated subcutaneous administration of CRF. These results favor the hypothesis that a centrally mediated action of CRF is involved in the cross-sensitization of psychostimulants and stress.
Cador
M
M
Unité INSERM 259, Bordeaux, France.
Cole
B J
BJ
Koob
G F
GF
Stinus
L
L
Le Moal
M
M
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology
D012965:Sodium Chloride; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D003913:Dextroamphetamine