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Anabolic-androgenic steroids and brain reward
A S Clark1, R C Lindenfeld, C H Gibbons
1Department of Psychology, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA. ann.s.clark@dartmouth.edu
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
|March 1, 1996
Summary
Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) did not change brain reward directly in rats. However, long-term AAS exposure increased sensitivity to amphetamine
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are synthetic derivatives of testosterone.
- AAS abuse is prevalent among athletes and bodybuilders.
- The neurobiological effects of AAS on the brain reward system are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) on the brain reward system.
- To determine if AAS alter intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) reward thresholds.
- To examine AAS influence on the behavioral effects of amphetamine.
Main Methods:
- Male rats were used to study AAS effects on brain reward.
- The rate-frequency curve shift paradigm of brain stimulation reward was employed.
- Animals were treated with methandrostenolone, an AAS cocktail, or vehicle.
- D-amphetamine was administered to assess changes in reward system sensitivity.
Main Results:
- Short-term methandrostenolone treatment did not affect brain reward or performance.
- Long-term AAS cocktail treatment did not alter brain reward thresholds.
- Long-term AAS cocktail treatment caused a slight increase in bar press rate.
- AAS treatment potentiated the rate-frequency curve shift induced by amphetamine.
Conclusions:
- AAS do not appear to directly alter the rewarding properties of brain stimulation.
- Chronic AAS exposure may enhance the sensitivity of the brain reward system.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the neurobiological mechanisms involved.