Mifepristone prevents the expression of long-term behavioural sensitization to amphetamine.
Three weeks following intermittent amphetamine exposure (2.5 mg/kg/day for 5 days), rats showed an enhanced locomotor response to an amphetamine challenge. Mifepristone (20 mg/kg) given 45 min prior to the challenge completely prevented the expression of amphetamine hyperresponsiveness. The glucocorticoid antagonist did not affect the locomotor response to amphetamine in drug-naive rats. These data demonstrate for the first time that glucocorticoid receptor antagonist treatment may prevent long-term hyperreactivity to drugs of abuse in individuals with a drug history.
De Vries
T J
TJ
Graduate School Neurosciences Amsterdam, Research Institute Neurosciences Vrije Universiteit, Department of Pharmacology, Free University, Medical Faculty, Netherlands.
Schoffelmeer
A N
AN
Tjon
G H
GH
Nestby
P
P
Mulder
A H
AH
Vanderschuren
L J
LJ
D000661:Amphetamine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D006727:Hormone Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D006727:Hormone Antagonists; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D015735:Mifepristone; D000661:Amphetamine