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The psychogenetically selected Roman rat lines differ in the susceptibility to develop amphetamine sensitization
Maria G Corda1, Giovanna Piras, Daniele Lecca
1Department of Toxicology, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale, 72, 09124 Cagliari, Italy.
Behavioural Brain Research
|December 25, 2004
Summary
Roman high-avoidance (RHA) rats develop behavioral sensitization to amphetamine, showing increased locomotor activity and behaviors after repeated drug exposure. Roman low-avoidance (RLA) rats do not exhibit this sensitization, highlighting genetic influences on addiction vulnerability.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Pharmacology
- Genetics
Background:
- The mesolimbic dopamine system is crucial for psychostimulant-induced locomotor activation and behavioral sensitization.
- Roman high- (RHA) and low-avoidance (RLA) rats exhibit distinct dopamine system functions and responses to addictive drugs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the capacity of RHA and RLA rat lines to develop behavioral sensitization to psychostimulants, specifically amphetamine.
- To investigate the influence of genetic background on individual vulnerability to addiction.
Main Methods:
- RHA and RLA rats received daily injections of amphetamine or saline for 10 days.
- Locomotor activity and specific behaviors (sniffing, rearing, etc.) were assessed after acute amphetamine challenges before and after repeated treatment.
Main Results:
- RHA rats exhibited significantly increased locomotor activation and specific behaviors following repeated amphetamine administration, indicating behavioral sensitization.
- RLA rats did not show significant changes in locomotor activity or behaviors, failing to develop sensitization.
Conclusions:
- Repeated amphetamine treatment induces behavioral sensitization in RHA rats but not in RLA rats.
- These rat lines are valuable tools for studying the genetic and neural underpinnings of addiction vulnerability.