title: The tachykinin NK3 receptor antagonist SR142801 blocks the behavioral effects of cocaine in marmoset monkeys.
abstract: Brain neuropeptide transmitters of the tachykinin family are involved in the organization of many behaviors. However, little is known about their contribution to the behavioral effects of drugs of abuse. Recently, the tachykinin NK3 receptor, one of the three tachykinin receptors in the brain, was shown to attenuate the acute and chronic behavioral effects of cocaine in rats. In order to test if these findings can be generalized to primates we investigated the role of the tachykinin NK3 receptor in the acute behavioral effects of cocaine in marmoset monkeys (Callithrix penicillata) using a figure-eight maze procedure. Animals were pretreated with the tachykinin NK3 receptor antagonist, (R)-(N)-[1-[3-[1-benzoyl-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)piperidin-3-yl]propyl]-4-phenylpiperidin-4-yl]-N-methylacetamide (SR142801; 0, 0.02, 0.2, 2.0 mg/kg, i.p.), and received either a treatment with cocaine (10 mg/kg, i.p) or saline (i.p.). Cocaine increased locomotor activity and aerial glance behavior, but reduced exploratory and bodycare activities, scent marking and terrestrial scanning behavior. A sensitivity analysis revealed that two responder types can be differentiated in relation to the occurrence of a hyperlocomotor response to cocaine. SR142801 blocked the actions of cocaine on several behaviors dose-dependently for each responder type, respectively. There was no effect of SR142801 alone on any behavior measured. These data suggest that the tachykinin NK3 receptor contributes to the individual behavioral response to cocaine in marmoset monkeys. Having no behavioral effects on its own, but blocking the cocaine effects, might suggest the tachykinin NK3 receptor antagonist, SR142801, as a potential treatment of cocaine addiction in humans.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiological Psychology and Center for Biological and Medical Research, University of Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Maria A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: De Souza Silva
authors.forename: Eldon L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Mello
authors.forename: Christian P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jocham
authors.forename: Rafael S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Maior
authors.forename: Joseph P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Huston
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tomaz
authors.forename: Marilia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barros
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D002144:Callithrix; D003042:Cocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010880:Piperidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018042:Receptors, Neurokinin-3 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010880:Piperidines; D018042:Receptors, Neurokinin-3; D003042:Cocaine; C091554:SR 142801