Intra-A10 injection of H7 blocks the development of sensitization to cocaine

The role of protein kinase activity in the development of behavioral sensitization was examined by injecting the protein kinase inhibitor H7 into the A10 dopamine region 5 min before each of four daily peripheral injections of cocaine. Animals then received a challenge injection of cocaine 24 h after the daily treatments. Intra-A10 injection of H7 attenuated the acute motor-stimulant response to cocaine. Daily injections of H7 prevented the development of an enhanced motor-stimulant response, which occurred with daily cocaine injections, such that the animals' behavioral response was similar to that of animals receiving their first cocaine injection. These data suggest that increased protein kinase activity in the A10 dopamine region may be important in the development of behavioral sensitization to cocaine.