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A Plate-Based Assay for the Measurement of Endogenous Monoamine Release in Acute Brain Slices
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Methamphetamine self-administration acutely decreases monoaminergic transporter function.

Lisa M McFadden1, Kristen A Stout, Paula L Vieira-Brock

  • 1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA.

Synapse (New York, N.Y.)
|November 29, 2011
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Methamphetamine self-administration in rats reduced dopamine transporter (DAT) and vesicular monoamine-2 transporter (VMAT-2) function. This study provides crucial insights into how drug-taking behavior impacts brain transporter systems.

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Published on: November 21, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Addiction Research

Background:

  • Noncontingent methamphetamine (METH) administration is known to decrease dopamine transporter (DAT) and vesicular monoamine-2 transporter (VMAT-2) function.
  • Previous research suggests noncontingent drug effects may not predict outcomes of contingent drug exposure.
  • Transporter function is critical for understanding METH's abuse potential and neurotoxicity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the acute effects of METH self-administration on DAT and VMAT-2 function.
  • To examine brain METH and amphetamine (AMPH) levels in relation to self-administration behavior.
  • To establish a foundation for studying the role of dopaminergic systems in METH dependence.

Main Methods:

  • Rats underwent five days of METH self-administration (4 h/session; 0.06 mg/infusion).
  • DAT and VMAT-2 activity were assessed in striatal synaptosomes and vesicles, respectively, 1 hour post-session.
  • Brain METH and AMPH concentrations were measured, and core body temperature was monitored.

Main Results:

  • Five days of METH self-administration significantly decreased both DAT and VMAT-2 activity.
  • METH self-administration led to an increase in core body temperature.
  • Rats exhibiting higher self-administration (high-pressing) had approximately double the brain METH and AMPH levels compared to low-pressing rats, despite similar DAT function changes.

Conclusions:

  • This study is the first to report transporter function and drug levels following METH self-administration in rodents.
  • The findings demonstrate that contingent METH exposure alters key dopaminergic transporter functions.
  • These data are foundational for exploring how dopaminergic system responses during METH self-administration contribute to dependence.