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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
08:14
Comprehensive Analysis of Transcription Dynamics from Brain Samples Following Behavioral Experience
Published on: August 26, 2014
Dynamic changes in sensitivity occur during the acute response to cocaine and methylphenidate
1Psychiatry Department (0603), UCSD School of Medicine, La Jolla 92093, USA. rkuczenski@ucsd.edu
Psychopharmacology
|December 11, 1999
Summary
Stimulant drugs like cocaine and methylphenidate alter behavioral sensitivity, similar to amphetamine. These rapid changes in drug sensitivity may contribute to binge drug use patterns.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Acute amphetamine administration dynamically alters behavioral sensitivity to subsequent drug doses.
- This study investigates if similar changes occur with dopamine uptake blockers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if amphetamine-like stimulants that block dopamine uptake induce dynamic changes in behavioral sensitivity.
- To assess if increased responsivity is specific to amphetamine or a general stimulant effect.
Main Methods:
- Animals were primed with cocaine or methylphenidate, then tested with amphetamine.
- Conversely, animals were primed with amphetamine and tested with cocaine or methylphenidate.
- Microdialysis measured dopamine levels in the caudate-putamen and nucleus accumbens.
Main Results:
- Priming with dopamine uptake blockers (cocaine, methylphenidate) led to stereotypy in response to amphetamine.
- Priming with amphetamine induced stereotypy in response to cocaine or methylphenidate.
- Behavioral changes occurred without corresponding alterations in dopamine release.
Conclusions:
- Dynamic changes in behavioral sensitivity are common to both dopamine releasers and uptake blockers.
- These rapid sensitivity shifts may play a role in the development of binge drug abuse behaviors.
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