Prevention of amphetamine-induced behavioral hypersensitivity by concomitant treatment with microgram doses of...

Behavioral hypersensitivity induced by subchronic administration of amphetamine in mice was inhibited by concomitant administration of apomorphine in microgram doses. Acutely, amphetamine followed in 15 min by apomorphine, produces a normal rise in locomotor activity subsequent to the action of amphetamine and an inhibition of that activity by the modulatory action of apomorphine. We suggest that apomorphine acts at a presynaptic neuronal site to interrupt the process(es) responsible for the development of stimulant-induced sensitization.