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Evidence that a behavioral augmentation following repeated amphetamine administration does not involve peripheral
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
|September 1, 1982
Summary
Repeated amphetamine (AMPH) administration increases behavioral responses in rats. Peripheral factors do not explain this augmentation, suggesting central nervous system changes are responsible for enhanced stereotypy.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Repeated amphetamine (AMPH) administration in rats leads to increased locomotion and stereotypy.
- The underlying mechanisms for this behavioral augmentation are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of peripheral sympathomimetic factors in mediating enhanced stereotypy after repeated AMPH administration.
- To determine if peripheral AMPH accumulation, sympathetic activation, or norepinephrine depletion contribute to AMPH-induced behavioral changes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized non-pharmacological and pharmacological manipulations to selectively alter peripheral AMPH actions.
- Focused on methods with minimal central stimulant effects to isolate peripheral contributions.
Main Results:
- Peripheral factors, including AMPH accumulation, sympathetic activation, and norepinephrine depletion, did not account for the augmented behavioral response to AMPH.
- The observed behavioral alterations are not mediated by peripheral dispositional or sympathomimetic effects.
Conclusions:
- The enhanced behavioral response to repeated amphetamine administration is not explained by peripheral factors.
- These findings suggest that changes in the responsiveness of central brain mechanisms underlie the augmentation of AMPH-induced behaviors.