Behavioral sensitization to amphetamine is dependent on corticosteroid receptor activation

Thirty rats received 3 amphetamine injections (1.5 mg/kg, s.c.) 6 days apart and the locomotor response was measured. One day before the second injection they were adrenalectomized or sham operated. Corticosteroid replacement treatments (500 micrograms/kg, s.c.) were given every evening. Sham adrena...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inBrain research Vol. 498; no. 1; p. 149
Main Authors Rivet, J M, Stinus, L, LeMoal, M, Mormède, P
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Netherlands 25.09.1989
Subjects
Adrenal Glands - metabolism
Adrenal Glands - physiology
Adrenalectomy
Amphetamines - pharmacology
Animals
Brain - drug effects
Brain - metabolism
Brain - physiology
Catecholamines - metabolism
Dexamethasone - pharmacology
Glucocorticoids - metabolism
Glucocorticoids - physiology
Male
Rats
Rats, Inbred Strains
Receptors, Glucocorticoid - metabolism
Receptors, Glucocorticoid - physiology
Stereotyped Behavior - drug effects
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Summary:Thirty rats received 3 amphetamine injections (1.5 mg/kg, s.c.) 6 days apart and the locomotor response was measured. One day before the second injection they were adrenalectomized or sham operated. Corticosteroid replacement treatments (500 micrograms/kg, s.c.) were given every evening. Sham adrenalectomized animals exhibited behavioral sensitization to successive injections of amphetamine, which was prevented by adrenalectomy. Treatment with corticosterone or deoxycorticosterone did not reverse the effect of adrenalectomy, whereas dexamethasone completely restored and even potentiated sensitization to amphetamine. These results demonstrate that corticosteroids are necessary for sensitization of the dopaminergic system to occur and that they most probably act through the type II (or glucocorticoid) receptor subtype.
ISSN:0006-8993
1872-6240
DOI:10.1016/0006-8993(89)90411-3