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Single Cell Measurement of Dopamine Release with Simultaneous Voltage-clamp and Amperometry
Published on: November 21, 2012
[Differences in neuronal toxicity and its molecular mechanisms between methamphetamine and methylphenidate].
Minoru Narita1, Megumi Asato, Keiko Shindo
1Department of Toxicology, Hoshi University School of Pharmacological Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501 Japan. narita@hoshi.ac.jp
Nihon Shinkei Seishin Yakurigaku Zasshi = Japanese Journal of Psychopharmacology
|August 12, 2009
Summary
Methylphenidate (MPH) does not cause long-term behavioral sensitization or rewarding effects like methamphetamine (METH). MPH
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Methylphenidate (MPH) treats narcolepsy and ADHD, sharing psychostimulant properties with methamphetamine (METH).
- Repeated psychostimulant use can induce behavioral sensitization and reward effects.
- Astrocytes play a crucial role in neuronal network function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the long-term behavioral and cellular effects of Methylphenidate (MPH) and Methamphetamine (METH).
Main Methods:
- Assessing behavioral sensitization to hyperlocomotion in response to repeated drug administration.
- Evaluating drug-induced rewarding effects and their persistence after withdrawal.
- Investigating astrocytic activation in neuron/glia cocultures and primary neuronal cultures.
- Analyzing neuronal cell viability and apoptosis markers (MAP2a/b, cleaved caspase-3).
Main Results:
- Methamphetamine (METH) induced significant behavioral sensitization and long-lasting rewarding effects.
- Methylphenidate (MPH) failed to induce behavioral sensitization and its rewarding effects were transient.
- Both METH and MPH activated astrocytes, but METH-induced activation was persistent while MPH's was reversible.
- High METH concentrations induced neuronal cell death, unlike MPH.
Conclusions:
- Methamphetamine (METH) and Methylphenidate (MPH) exert their psychostimulant effects through distinct mechanisms.
- METH exhibits a greater potential for inducing long-term neuroplastic changes and addiction liability compared to MPH.
- Differential effects on astrocytes and neuronal survival highlight key mechanistic differences between METH and MPH.
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