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Tolerance to amphetamine-induced impairment of rotarod performance in rats
Abstract:
Acute administration of d-amphetamine sulfate (30 mg/kg, i.p.) caused muscle weakness and 80% failure in rotarod performance in rats. The incidence of performance failure progressively decreased to 30% in animals receiving d-amphetamine and tested daily for 8 days. A similar progressive reduction in performance impairment was observed in animals receiving d-amphetamine for 3, 5, or 7 days (12.5%) and evaluated only once after the last dose. The tolerance is attributable to a physiological or biochemical rather than learning phenomenon.
Insights
Rats given d-amphetamine sulfate showed muscle weakness and impaired rotarod performance. Daily exposure led to tolerance, suggesting a physiological adaptation rather than learning.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- D-amphetamine sulfate is a central nervous system stimulant.
- Acute administration can cause motor impairments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the development of tolerance to the motor-impairing effects of d-amphetamine sulfate in rats.
- To determine if the observed tolerance is due to physiological adaptation or learning.
Main Methods:
- Rats were administered d-amphetamine sulfate (30 mg/kg, i.p.).
- Performance was assessed using a rotarod test.
- Animals were tested daily for 8 days, or after 3, 5, or 7 days of dosing.
Main Results:
- Acute d-amphetamine administration resulted in 80% rotarod performance failure.
- Daily testing for 8 days reduced performance failure to 30%.
- A similar reduction in impairment was observed with shorter daily dosing durations.
Conclusions:
- Repeated administration of d-amphetamine sulfate leads to the development of tolerance to its motor-impairing effects.
- The observed tolerance is likely a physiological or biochemical phenomenon, not a result of learning.