Sensitization of hypervigilance effects of cocaine can be induced by NK3 receptor activation in marmoset monkeys.
BACKGROUND
Cocaine is a widely abused drug which can result in the establishment of addiction. The neurokinin3-receptor (NK3-R) has been linked to cocaine addiction by genetic, epigenetic, and pharmacological studies suggesting that a cocaine-induced increase in NK3-R signaling may contribute to the establishment of cocaine addiction-related behaviors.


METHODS
Here we measured cocaine-induced sensitization of vigilance- and locomotor behaviors in marmoset monkeys (Callithrix penicillata) in an open field.


RESULTS
We found a sensitization of vigilance-related, but not locomotor behaviors after repeated cocaine (7mg/kg, i.p.) treatment. There was a cross-sensitization for scan frequency, but not of glance frequency, both vigilance-related behaviors, after repeated treatment with the NK3-R agonist senktide (0.2mg/kg, i.p.) given for 7 days, after a cocaine challenge (5mg/kg, i.p.).


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that in marmoset monkeys, repeated cocaine treatment leads to a sensitization of vigilance-related behaviors, which have a prominent role in spontaneously expressed activities in this species, but not of locomotor activity. Repeated activation of NK3-Rs can mimic some of the behavioral sensitization effect and may thus contribute to the establishment of cocaine related behaviors.
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Brasilia, 70910-900 Brasilia, DF, Brazil.
Jonathan L
JL
Melamed
Maria A
MA
de Souza Silva
Carlos
C
Tomaz
Christian P
CP
Müller
Joseph P
JP
Huston
Marilia
M
Barros
D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D002144:Callithrix; D003042:Cocaine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology; D018042:Receptors, Neurokinin-3 / Q000819:agonists* / Q000378:metabolism; D013373:Substance P / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology
D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D018042:Receptors, Neurokinin-3; C054724:senktide; D013373:Substance P; D003042:Cocaine