Interactions of ibogaine and D-amphetamine: in vivo microdialysis and motor behavior in rats

Ibogaine, an indolalkylamine, has been proposed for use in treating stimulant addiction. In the present study we sought to determine if ibogaine had any effects on the neurochemical and motor changes induced by D-amphetamine that would substantiate the anti-addictive claim. Ibogaine (40 mg/kg, i.p.) injected 19 h prior to a D-amphetamine challenge (1.25 mg/kg, i.p.) potentiated the expected rise in extracellular dopamine levels in the striatum and in the nucleus accumbens, as measured by microdialysis in freely moving rats. Using photocell activity cages, the same ibogaine pretreatment enhanced the stimulatory motor effects induced by a wide range of D-amphetamine doses (0.625, 1.25, 2.5 or 5 mg/kg, i.p.). These findings suggest that ibogaine might increase the reinforcing efficacy of D-amphetamine. However, since high doses of D-amphetamine can be aversive, the potentiation of D-amphetamine's effects by ibogaine might also lead to a decrease in the reinforcing efficacy of D-amphetamine.