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Cocaine behavioral sensitization and the excitatory amino acids
R Karler1, L D Calder, J B Bedingfield
1Department of Pharmacology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City 84132.
Psychopharmacology
|July 1, 1994
Summary
Cocaine behavioral sensitization in mice involves distinct neuroeffector pathways for induction and expression, differing from amphetamine sensitization mechanisms. Glutamate and dopamine systems are key in cocaine sensitization induction.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Behavioral sensitization to psychostimulants like cocaine and amphetamine is a crucial model for understanding addiction.
- Identifying the specific neuroeffector systems mediating sensitization is vital for developing targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the neuroeffector systems involved in behavioral sensitization to cocaine-induced stereotypy in mice.
- To compare these mechanisms with those previously identified for amphetamine sensitization.
Main Methods:
- Administration of eight selective neuroeffector agonists and antagonists to mice.
- Assessment of behavioral changes and convulsive thresholds.
- Pharmacological blockade of sensitization induction and expression using various drug classes.
Main Results:
- Cocaine sensitization uniquely decreased the convulsive threshold to kainate, correlating with sensitization persistence.
- Sensitization induction for both cocaine and amphetamine involved dopaminergic and glutamatergic systems.
- Expression mechanisms differed: CPP blocked amphetamine but not cocaine sensitization, while DNQX blocked amphetamine but not cocaine sensitization expression.
Conclusions:
- The induction of cocaine sensitization shares similarities with amphetamine sensitization, involving glutamate and dopamine systems.
- However, the expression mechanisms for cocaine sensitization are distinct from amphetamine sensitization, highlighting differential neurobiological pathways.