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Methamphetamine exposure during early postnatal development in rats: I. Acoustic startle augmentation and spatial
C V Vorhees1, K G Ahrens, K D Acuff-Smith
1Division of Basic Science Research, Children's Hospital Research Foundation, University of Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039.
Psychopharmacology
|April 1, 1994
Summary
Methamphetamine exposure during early development causes lasting behavioral and cognitive issues in rats. The timing of exposure significantly impacts the specific long-term effects on brain development and function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Methamphetamine (MA) is known to cause neurotoxicity in adult animals.
- Less is understood about MA's impact on early brain development and subsequent behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of MA exposure during a critical developmental window, analogous to the human third trimester.
- To determine if the timing of MA exposure influences neurodevelopmental and behavioral outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Sprague-Dawley rats were administered d-MA (30 mg/kg b.i.d.) during early (postnatal days 1-10) or later (postnatal days 11-20) developmental periods.
- Control groups received water during these periods.
- Behavioral assessments included acoustic startle, a multiple-T water maze, and the Morris hidden platform maze.
Main Results:
- Both early and later MA exposure groups showed increased acoustic startle responses and deficits in a complex water maze.
- Early MA exposure led to persistent weight deficits.
- Later MA exposure resulted in impaired learning in the Morris hidden platform maze.
Conclusions:
- Methamphetamine exposure during early postnatal development has long-lasting effects on behavior and cognition.
- The specific neurodevelopmental and behavioral consequences of MA are dependent on the developmental stage at the time of exposure.
- MA exposure impacts both cognitive functions and arousal levels.