Effects of amphetamine on brain biogenic amines in isolated and aggregated rats

d- and 1-amphetamine were injected (15 mg/kg i.p.) into isolated or aggregated rats. Both d- and 1-forms decreased the noradrenaline levels of brain areas in isolated and in aggregated rats. d-Amphetamine decreased 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-hiaa) levels in aggregated rats only. 1-Amphetamine induced no change in 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels. The greater sensitivity of aggregated rats to d-amphetamine can be ascribed to a change in 5-HT metabolism rather than to a modification of noradrenaline levels.