Behavioral sensitization to the discriminative stimulus effects of methamphetamine in rats

Eur J Pharmacol. 2004 Sep 13;498(1-3):157-61. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2004.07.064.

Abstract

Sensitization to the discriminative stimulus effects of psychostimulants is not fully understood. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the development of sensitization to the discriminative stimulus of methamphetamine in rats. A dose-response curve for methamphetamine and a generalization test for cocaine were recorded in rats trained to discriminate between 1.0 mg/kg methamphetamine and saline. A significant leftward shift of the dose-response curve for methamphetamine and of the dose-generalization curve for cocaine was observed following repeated administration of methamphetamine (2.0 mg/kg) instead of saline. These findings suggest that repeated administration of methamphetamine can produce behavioral sensitization to the discriminative stimulus effects of methamphetamine in rats.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects*
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / pharmacology*
  • Cocaine / pharmacology
  • Discrimination, Psychological / drug effects*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Generalization, Stimulus / drug effects
  • Male
  • Methamphetamine / pharmacology*
  • Models, Animal
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred F344
  • Sodium Chloride / pharmacology

Substances

  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Methamphetamine
  • Sodium Chloride
  • Cocaine