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Prenatal methamphetamine exposure affects the mesolimbic dopaminergic system and behavior in adult offspring
Author(s) -
BubenikovaValesova Vera,
Kacer Petr,
Syslova Kamila,
Rambousek Lukas,
Janovsky Martin,
Schutova Barbora,
Hruba Lenka,
Slamberova Romana
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
international journal of developmental neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.761
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1873-474X
pISSN - 0736-5748
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2009.06.012
Subject(s) - methamphetamine , nucleus accumbens , offspring , dopamine , dopaminergic , homovanillic acid , endocrinology , medicine , mesolimbic pathway , saline , monoamine neurotransmitter , psychology , ventral tegmental area , pregnancy , biology , serotonin , receptor , genetics
Methamphetamine is a commonly abused psychostimulant that causes addiction and is often abused by pregnant women. Acute or chronic administration of methamphetamine elevates the levels of the extracellular monoamine neurotransmitters, such as dopamine. The aim of the present study was to show whether prenatal exposure to methamphetamine (5 mg/kg, entire gestation) or saline in Wistar rats induces changes in dopamine levels and its metabolites in the nucleus accumbens, and in behavior (locomotor activity, rearing, and immobility) after the administration of a challenge dose of methamphetamine (1 mg/kg) or saline in male offspring. We found that adult offspring prenatally exposed to methamphetamine had higher basal levels of dopamine (about 288%), dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (about 67%) and homovanillic acid (about 74%) in nucleus accumbens. An increased basal level of dopamine corresponds to lower basal immobility in offspring prenatally exposed to methamphetamine. The acute injection of methamphetamine in adulthood increased the level of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, which is related to an increase of locomotion and rearing (exploration). In addition, prenatally methamphetamine‐exposed rats showed higher response to the challenge dose of methamphetamine, when compared to prenatally saline‐exposed rats. In conclusion, rats exposed to methamphetamine in utero have shown changes in the mesolimbic dopaminergic system and were more sensitive to the administration of the acute dose of methamphetamine in adulthood.